Rufford Primary School Nursery Review

Messy play, cooking and stories give Rufford’s early years provision its character. Time for Twos sits alongside the Nursery within Rufford Primary School in the Lye area of Stourbridge, offering a school-based start with learning indoors and outside. The two-year-old provision opened in September 2023; children can join the Nursery from the term after their third birthday.

Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 4 and 5 June 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Books provide a starting point for exploration. CUSP Early Foundations supplies the literature spine used in curriculum planning, with structured story sessions intended to develop language and knowledge. Adults join children’s play, talk through what they are doing and ask questions that extend their ideas. Children’s interests help determine the direction of teaching, giving their own discoveries a place in the day.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together communication, movement and relationships with early literacy, maths, understanding the world and creative expression. Here, that means practical experiences: cooking, messy play and observing growth and change in nature. Open-ended materials and loose parts give children scope to invent and experiment rather than work towards a single predetermined result. Outdoor learning continues whatever the weather. The wider school grounds include a large playing field and woodland used for Forest School and sport.

In June 2024, early years staff planned learning around children’s interests and existing abilities, and the environment supported purposeful activity. Adults developed vocabulary and thinking while encouraging children to share, wait their turn and treat others kindly. Early writing. Less attention was given to developing early writing skills. For families, this is a specific development point to weigh alongside the emphasis on talk and exploration.

A nursery teacher forms part of the staff team, while the assistant headteacher for inclusion combines the SENCo and EYFS leadership roles. This brings early years leadership and special educational needs coordination into the same role. The school aims to build dependable relationships through communication and to help children feel secure and confident.

Families can request a meeting with the school’s pastoral team through the office. Early Help support also extends to children and families with emerging difficulties, giving parents a route to discuss pressures at home. Staff receive updated safeguarding and child protection training.

Children attending full-time stay for lunch. Dolce provides the school’s catering. SchoolGrid is due to replace the current meals portal, allowing families to view menus, pre-order meals and record dietary information. Confirm current meal-ordering arrangements with the school. Confirm how to record allergies under the current ordering arrangements; a special diet or care plan should also be discussed with the school. This makes meal planning a practical part of preparing for a longer nursery day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority and meet the normal Reception application deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for school as two separate decisions, even though the provision belongs to the same school.

Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am, with afternoon sessions from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Each lasts three hours. Full-time attendance with lunch is another pattern, so families can consider a shorter session or a longer day when arranging childcare.

Visits can be arranged through the school office, which coordinates a tour with an appropriate team member. For nursery enquiries or a visit, email info@ruffordprimary.co.uk or telephone 01384 686717. Rufford Primary School is on Bredon Avenue, Stourbridge, DY9 7NR.