St Peter's Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Playing, exploring and getting active indoors and outside shape the nursery experience at St Peter's in Caverswall. This is the nursery provision within St Peter's Church of England Primary School, on School Lane. Children can join from the term following their third birthday, and there are 24 nursery places.

The emphasis is on learning through activity and discovery. For parents, that means considering the nursery as an early childhood setting in its own right, alongside the separate decision about primary school admission. No Ofsted graded rating yet.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven connected learning areas. St Peter's nursery uses exploration, active play and creative thinking across indoor and outdoor learning. Children are encouraged to think critically as well as take part: the approach makes room for trying ideas and investigating, rather than treating learning as only adult explanation.

Stories and questions give the Foundation Class curriculum concrete starting points. In the 2025-2026 programme, The Three Little Pigs accompanied a celebration theme, while Gigantosaurus sat alongside learning about Caverswall. The Seasaw was paired with a garden question. These examples connect books with topics children can discuss and explore; they describe that academic year's programme rather than a timetable for the current term.

For children starting in September, the school's entry arrangements include summer visits and a meeting for parents. These give families an introduction to school routines before the start. Where a child already has identified special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), the SENCo meets new parents before entry so that concerns and possible adjustments can be discussed.

Support has a named planning process: Passport for Learning. Children receiving SEN support have individual outcomes and targets, with progress discussed each term with their parents and the child. The class teacher retains responsibility for daily provision, working with the SENCo. This gives families a clear route for discussing support and reviewing how it is working.

Medical needs are addressed through a Health Care Plan developed with parents and the school nurse. At the wider school site, an entrance ramp and an accessible toilet support physical access, although the building is partially wheelchair accessible. Families whose child needs step-free access should take that qualification into account when considering the setting.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority: Staffordshire County Council for Staffordshire council-tax payers, or Stoke-on-Trent City Council for those paying council tax there. Choosing the nursery therefore does not replace the later application.

For September 2026 entry, the Reception application deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle is now past. Treat nursery and Reception as two separate decisions, with the Reception application made through the normal route by the deadline for the relevant intake.

Nursery children finish at 3pm. That earlier finish matters when planning collection around work or siblings. The Parish Council car park can be used for school drop-off and collection, and staggered finishing times are intended to ease congestion.

For nursery applications for September 2026 to July 2027, contact the school office on 01782 393118. Visits to the school can also be arranged through the office. This provides a direct enquiry route and an opportunity to consider how the setting fits your child's needs.