Whitfield Valley Primary Academy Nursery Review

Storybooks stretch into clay hedgehogs, woodland exploration and counting songs at Whitfield Valley’s nursery. This is the academy’s own nursery in Fegg Hayes, Stoke-on-Trent, within a school providing education from age 3. Its 52 places form part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), alongside Reception.

Early years provision received an Outstanding judgement at the Ofsted inspection on 9 and 10 July 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Children’s enthusiasm for activities and everyday routines was a specific strength in July 2024, giving parents a useful indication of how they engaged with learning.

Books give learning a concrete starting point. In the Autumn 2 plan, One Snowy Night connects storytelling with acting out scenes, making story maps and describing characters. Children also practise making marks. These activities give them several ways to explore a story before they can write it independently.

White Rose Maths links early number work to objects, stories and songs. Autumn activities include comparing groups, exploring shapes and beginning to count; the Spring 1 plan moves into counting to 3 and recognising small groups without counting each object. Phonics begins with listening, rhyme and alliteration in Phase 1, followed by initial sounds and blending in Phase 2. The emphasis is on building small skills through familiar activities.

The EYFS here brings together early language, number, movement, creativity and learning about other people. Children sing, dance and practise balancing, while A Superhero Like You introduces jobs that help the community. Making a superhero cape links imaginative play with exploring materials.

Outdoor learning has physical substance: an early years outdoor learning space and the school’s wooded area. The Autumn 2 plan connects the woodland with its story theme, alongside modelling hedgehogs from sticks and clay and painting with natural materials. A planned Wood Farm visit adds another setting to explore.

Imaginary play is part of the Autumn 1 settling activities, connecting the start of nursery with familiar play rather than only formal learning. Work on emotions also links to story characters, helping children talk about how others feel. A nursery teacher sits within the classroom team.

For children needing additional support, the school’s arrangements include discussions with the class teacher or SEND coordinator, adapted activities and individual education plans shared with parents each term. Parents can contribute to those plans. Medical care plans are developed with families, giving staff a shared basis for meeting a child’s needs. School lunches follow a three-week menu rotation, with special lunch events communicated separately.

Attending nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. The academy follows Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s admission arrangements, and applications can be made online through the council.

Separately, whole-school transition days give each class an afternoon with its next teacher. This is preparation for a change of classroom and adults; it should not be treated as an admissions advantage.

Nursery entrants receive a school book bag. At the start of the academic year, children also receive a blue/gold jumper and tie free of charge. Uniform expectations include a white collared shirt, grey bottoms and black shoes, so everyday clothing has a clear school character.

Enrichment activities are free, with nursery participation limited to the summer term. For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01782 234 570 or email whitfieldv@nmat.org.uk.