Walton On Trent Nursery Review

Eight places, open access to outdoor learning and Forest School each week give Rabbits its own character within Walton On Trent CofE Primary and Nursery School. The nursery has a base within the school, with space for 8 children per session, subject to availability. It is a small group by design: the school aims to help children build relationships and develop independence through their early experiences of learning.

This is the nursery of a Church of England primary school on Coton Road in Walton-on-Trent. Early years provision received a Good judgement from Ofsted at the inspection on 17 and 18 October 2023. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than being a separate nursery rating.

Indoor and outdoor learning are connected by open access, giving children opportunities to explore both environments. Weekly Forest School adds a regular outdoor element beyond the nursery base. Together, these arrangements make exploration a concrete part of the nursery experience.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, manage feelings and develop physical skills with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Long-term planning gives learning a structure, while topics can change to follow children's interests. Staff observe children's progress and use what they notice, alongside information from parents, to shape learning experiences around individual needs.

In October 2023, the early years curriculum was planned around children's needs, with spoken language given particular attention. The indoor and outdoor environments supported learning across the curriculum. Nursery children also took part in activities preparing them for reading. The emphasis is on building foundations: communication and early reading experiences matter before children move to their next stage.

Rabbits has a nursery teacher, with an EYFS leadership role within the wider staff team. Settling starts with information from home: parents are encouraged to discuss their child's interests, needs and circumstances, including anything that worries them. This gives staff a personal starting point for supporting the move into school.

Parents can discuss concerns with the class teacher and attend evenings celebrating children's progress. Class Dojo provides a direct way to contact teachers about learning, alongside appointments arranged through the office.

For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the class teacher is the first contact, supported by the school's SENDCo. Support can include visual timetables, social stories and work with speech and language therapists, depending on the child's needs. A one-page profile records necessary adjustments for classroom adults, helping information about support travel with the child rather than depend on a single conversation.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Derbyshire County Council's admissions team, meeting the deadline for their child's intake. Learning preparation and admission are separate matters: the October 2023 early years findings described children as ready for their next educational steps, but that does not secure a place at this school.

Some Rabbits children attend full time and others part time, with places dependent on availability. Nursery applications and requests for a visit go to info@wal.jtmat.co.uk; the school office can also be reached on 01283 716151.

Uniform applies to nursery children. It includes a blue sweatshirt or cardigan, a blue or white polo shirt and grey trousers, skirt or pinafore, with plain black footwear. A school logo is optional. The school's after-school club accepts children from Reception to Year 6, so families should not count it as nursery childcare.