Nythe Primary School Nursery Review

Stories, rhymes and learning to communicate give Nythe’s early years provision its clearest character. The nursery takes children aged two to four on the Nythe Primary School site in Swindon and is managed by Excalibur Academies Trust. It gives younger children a start within a school setting, with morning, afternoon and all-day sessions.

At the Ofsted inspection on 18 and 19 March 2025, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Language runs through play. In March 2025, early years staff used storytelling and rhymes within children’s activities, with a clear emphasis on helping them communicate. This makes play a route into using words and expressing ideas, rather than treating language as a separate exercise.

For parents, that emphasis is a useful part of the nursery’s character: the learning described centres on communication during play. The session choices also give families a practical distinction between a morning or afternoon attendance pattern and a day running from 9am to 3pm.

The nursery team includes a Nursery Room Leader and Nursery Assistants. Children needing help with speech and language received support tailored to them in the early years in March 2025. That individual approach matters for children who need additional help to communicate and take part in learning.

Before joining, parents complete an induction pack and a contract with Excalibur Academies Trust. The pack gathers information about the child, parental responsibility, emergency contacts and adults authorised to collect. These arrangements give staff the family and collection details they need when caring for a child.

Attending Nythe’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process. Apply to the local authority where you live, including when choosing a school in another council area. The closing date for applications is 15 January 2027.

Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two separate decisions. Joining the nursery does not remove the need to submit that application on time.

Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, afternoons from noon to 3pm, and all-day attendance from 9am to 3pm. These are the three session options, so collection arrangements need to fit the chosen finish time.

For three- and four-year-olds, funded provision includes 15 hours a week over 38 weeks when taken in term time. An additional 15 hours is available to eligible working parents of children aged three to four; some two-year-olds qualify for 15 funded hours. Additional attendance beyond funding is charged. Contact the school for current charges.

Session cancellation. Four weeks’ notice is required for funded sessions as well as paid ones. Families changing settings need to account for that notice period because funding continues to be claimed during it. Paid-session charges remain due for absences caused by sickness or holidays.

For enquiries, telephone the school office on 01793 524024. Visits can also be arranged through the office, giving families an opportunity to discuss the nursery before requesting a place.