Stoke Minster CofE Primary Academy Nursery Review

Learning to take turns sits alongside rhymes and first encounters with letters at Stoke Minster’s nursery. This is a school start built around social routines as well as early reading, with full-time places rather than a choice of morning and afternoon sessions.

The nursery takes children from age three and has 39 places within the academy’s early years provision on Boothen Old Road. Its Church of England setting gives it a Christian identity: the school describes Faith, Hope and Love as its guiding values. Families of any faith, or none, can apply. Early years provision received a Good judgement at the inspection on 21 and 22 January 2025; that judgement covers early years within the school.

Sharing, waiting for a turn and thinking about other children are taught from the start. In January 2025, nursery children were learning routines quickly, helping them participate in learning and develop socially and emotionally. These are practical foundations for being part of a class, rather than simply rules to follow.

Rhymes and recognising letter symbols provide the nursery’s first steps towards reading. The January 2025 findings described early reading teaching positively, with trained staff delivering it. For nursery children, the emphasis is preparation: becoming familiar with letters and rhymes before the next stage of schooling. Social learning and these beginnings in literacy give parents two concrete strands of the early years day.

A nursery teacher and early years practitioners form the nursery team. The school also has a special educational needs coordinator, whom families can contact through the office. That gives parents a direct route for discussing additional needs.

All staff receive training to at least Safeguarding Children Level 1, alongside Prevent training. Parents with a concern about a child can telephone the office and ask for a designated safeguarding team member. Early Help can connect families with support from other agencies when several services need to work together.

Some children qualify for government-funded school dinners through benefits-based eligibility. Eligible nursery children can also attract Early Years Pupil Premium, providing additional support for their education.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, using the online form at stoke.gov.uk for September entry. Treat this as a distinct decision and application, rather than an automatic move within the academy.

The nursery’s work with rhymes and letter symbols prepares children for their Reception year. That learning preparation is separate from securing admission.

Only full-time nursery places are offered. The day begins at 8.45am and finishes at 3.15pm, so the arrangement suits families seeking a full school day. Gates open at 8.30; children arriving after 8.45 are signed in through the office.

Collection for early years children uses the designated gates beside the school office. Staff stay with their class until parents collect the children and the gates are locked. Nursery children wear school uniform.

For enquiries, telephone 01782 367550 or email office@stokeminsterce.sbmat.org. Prospective families can arrange a school visit through the office, giving them an opportunity to see the setting before choosing it.