Pot Kiln Primary School Nursery

A purpose-built nursery with outdoor learning space gives Pot Kiln’s youngest children a base of their own within the primary school site. The nursery operates in Great Cornard, on Butt Road, and children can start in the term following their third birthday. This is school-based early education, with a dedicated nursery unit rather than simply a place in an older children’s classroom.

Attendance is usually for up to three terms before full-time schooling. Depending on birthday and available space, some children can attend for up to five terms. An Early Years Key Practitioner and a Nursery Nurse staff the unit, giving families a clear picture of the roles involved in their child’s care and learning.

Three-hour sessions across five days give the part-time week its shape. Outdoor learning has a defined place: the nursery has secure outdoor space for play and learning, alongside its own toilet area. Those practical features put outdoor activity and everyday care within the nursery’s own provision.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning includes early work with sounds and numbers, alongside learning to manage feelings and behaviour. Pot Kiln uses Letters and Sounds and ELS for phonics in its early years provision. For parents, phonics means learning the sounds used in reading, so this is a recognisable strand of the early learning approach.

At the April 2022 inspection, adults helped early years children develop number knowledge, and children managed their emotions and behaviour well. These findings give a concrete picture of learning that involves both mathematical foundations and the social skills needed to participate in a group.

Thrive is part of Pot Kiln’s approach to supporting children’s emotional and social development. Children who need additional help may access Thrive support, connecting the school’s wider care approach with individual needs.

For special educational needs and disabilities, the school uses Assess, Plan, Do, Review. Families can raise concerns with the class teacher and SENDCo, and the school works with the family on a plan, including adjustments where appropriate. If there is no improvement or change after six weeks, a further family meeting considers the next steps. These can include assessments or advice from health and other specialists. The process gives parents a route for raising concerns and reviewing the response.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Suffolk County Council admissions for entry the following September. Treat that application as a distinct step, even if your child already attends Pot Kiln’s nursery. The nursery application goes to the school; the Reception application follows the council route.

The part-time arrangement is 15 hours each week across 38 weeks. All nursery places offered are funded early education places. From September 2021, a 30-hour arrangement across 38 weeks was offered to up to ten eligible families, allocated in order of application. Eligibility and the limited allocation matter when planning a longer nursery week.

Contact the school office on 01787 372107 or admin@potkiln.net for a nursery application or to arrange a visit. Nursery uniform combines a gold-yellow polo with royal-blue knitwear or a sweatshirt, grey bottoms and black school shoes. Non-logo items can be bought from supermarkets, while Gooddies supplies uniform. This gives families a choice of shopping route.