Moredon Primary School Nursery Review

Bug hunts, trikes and Welly Wednesday give Moredon’s nursery a practical, outdoors-facing character. This is a 52-place nursery for children aged 3 and 4, attached to Moredon Primary School in Swindon. Sharing the school site means young children spend time close to older pupils and become familiar with school surroundings.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the September 2022 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Play and early learning sit together here. A bespoke curriculum gives attention to mathematics, reading and phonics, while children also paint, build, explore water and sand, use playdough and act out roles. There is room for both making things and investigating them.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects those activities to children’s development. Its foundations are learning to communicate, becoming physically capable and developing relationships and emotional understanding. Literacy, mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world build on these foundations. Staff use observations, children’s interests and feedback from families to plan what comes next, giving parents a role in shaping learning.

A bright indoor space is paired with a secure area outside. Welly Wednesday uses the school field, and P.E. takes place in the hall. Trikes and bug hunts add movement and exploration to the day; iPads sit alongside the other learning resources. These are distinct spaces and activities, rather than outdoor play being the only change of scene.

In September 2022, early years children enjoyed familiar poems and books, while the youngest children were developing an interest in books and beginning to recognise letters. There was also a qualification to the curriculum picture: the school’s curriculum, which begins in Nursery Year, needed greater precision in some areas, alongside more precise learning support, so pupils could progress as quickly as possible.

Relationships matter alongside the learning. In September 2022, nursery children developed positive bonds with the adults supporting them. They also learned to recognise their feelings and handle them, making emotional development part of the curriculum rather than a separate concern.

Healthy eating is another learning theme. Nursery children learned about nutritious foods and were encouraged to eat well. This gives families a concrete connection between nursery learning and conversations about food at home.

Communication contributes to planning: staff draw on regular feedback from families as well as their knowledge of each child’s preferences. For safeguarding concerns, the school records worries and shares them with parents where appropriate. Referrals to social care are communicated to families unless doing so would increase the risk to the child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route. Applications to Moredon are coordinated by Swindon Borough Council and can be submitted online.

Familiarity with the school is a practical benefit, separate from admission. For children starting Reception, transition includes a summer classroom visit, a teacher’s home visit beforehand and a welcome booklet containing photographs. These give children and parents ways to prepare for the next stage; they do not secure a place.

For September starters using 15 funded hours, morning sessions run Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 11:45am. Children using 30 funded hours or additional parent-funded hours attend from 8:45am to 3:15pm Monday to Thursday, with Friday finishing at 1:30pm. The shorter Friday needs to fit family collection arrangements.

Both 15 and 30 funded hours are offered for 3- and 4-year-olds. Children with 15 hours of funding who attend mornings can also stay for paid afternoon sessions. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery enquiries can be made by calling 01793 600344 or completing the nursery enquiry form. School tours can be arranged through the office, giving families an opportunity to look around before deciding.