Goddard Park Community Primary School Nursery Review

Term-time preschool and longer daycare sit alongside each other at Goddard Park, giving families two different shapes of early education. Tadpoles is the school-based nursery for three- and four-year-olds, with part-time and full-time attendance. The wider Daycare Centre has five rooms and operates for 48 weeks each year. The distinction matters when planning care around school holidays.

The nursery belongs to Goddard Park Community Primary School on Welcombe Avenue in Park North, Swindon. Nursery and Reception share a phase leadership structure, connecting the early years team with the next stage of school life.

Language provides a clear starting point. In July 2023, the nursery's reading and phonics approach began with speaking and listening, giving children practice in the communication skills that precede reading. Across the early years, children also used their knowledge of sounds when writing and explored compass directions through treasure-map drawing. These are concrete links between talk, marks on paper and understanding the world.

The curriculum uses the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. Its priorities include vocabulary development, caring for other people and making healthy or safe choices: learning extends beyond early reading into how children look after themselves and relate to others. In July 2023, early years children could explain why healthy eating mattered.

A well-established woodland is part of the school grounds, with a Forest School leader working there weekly with groups of children. Activities include shelter building, nature crafts and learning about trees. This describes a school resource rather than a guaranteed weekly nursery session.

Curriculum continuity. In July 2023, some subjects lacked sufficiently precise links between early years learning and later study. Families should weigh the practical learning examples alongside that concern about how knowledge develops over time.

Settling begins before regular attendance. Early years registration includes a senior staff home visit to understand the child's needs, followed by settling sessions before the child starts. That gives families an opportunity to share routines and concerns before care begins.

SEND support includes an early years and Year 1 SENCo role. Some early years staff have Signalong training, and some staff across early years and Key Stage 1 have completed Brisc training for speech and language concerns. Nursery support partners include a Health Visitor; Early Years Consultants and an Area SENCO are also among the school's specialist contacts.

School meals are cooked on site, with meat-free Wednesdays and choices including vegetarian dishes and jacket potatoes. Families must disclose food allergies before ordering; the kitchen handles nuts, gluten and other allergens. General enquiries go to admin@goddardpark.co.uk.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer admission priority. Families must apply separately through Swindon Borough Council's online Common Application Form. For September 2026 entry, the deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle has passed.

For children with SEND moving between classes, staff share information and hold a teacher handover. Some children receive a transition book, with additional classroom visits possible. These arrangements support familiarity; they do not change admission rights.

Tadpoles morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am daily. Longer sessions run from 8:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Thursday, during term time. Early years enquiries go to daycareadmin@goddardpark.co.uk.

The wider preschool and daycare offer includes paid sessions and grant-funded sessions, with funding dependent on age and eligibility. Both term-time and full-year arrangements are offered. Contact the school for current charges. Before attendance, parents complete a registration form and sign a contract, making the agreed care arrangement a practical part of joining.