Oakhurst Community Primary School Nursery

Stories, songs and conversation give Oakhurst’s nursery its character. Children develop language from the Nursery Year onwards, with adults introducing vocabulary through reading, singing and everyday exchanges. That makes learning to communicate a practical part of the day.

This is the school’s own on-site nursery in Oakhurst, Swindon, with children starting from age three. It sits within the school’s main building and early years provision. In June 2026, Ofsted judged early years to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than being a separate nursery rating.

Play is the nursery’s chosen starting point: the school aims to encourage curiosity, exploration and creativity whichever session a child attends. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines teaching led by adults with planned activities children can pursue themselves. For parents, this means play has a learning purpose, alongside direct help to develop skills and understanding.

Language receives sustained attention. Familiar stories and poems form the curriculum’s foundation, while adults demonstrate how to speak, introduce words in conversation and sing with children. In June 2026, adult interactions in Nursery supported children’s learning well. The emphasis is on giving children words they can recognise and use.

The wider early years environment includes the Igloo room, equipped with a rocker and ball pit for sensory and movement experiences. The EYFS area is separated from busier parts of the site to reduce the movement of larger groups around children with disabilities. These are concrete ways the physical surroundings accommodate differing needs.

A nursery teacher forms part of the EYFS teaching team, alongside early years phase leadership. The school also has a SEND coordinator and deputy coordinator. This gives nursery provision a place within both the teaching structure and the school’s additional-needs support.

In June 2026, early years staff recognised additional needs promptly and gave effective support. Children sustained their attention during activities; changes between activities were orderly, and routines were easy to understand. Those findings matter for children learning to manage a group setting as well as their own play.

For children requiring SEND support, the school uses an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. My Plan targets are shared with parents, with My Plan Journals bringing together the associated records. Parent sharing sessions create opportunities to discuss progress. Support therefore includes a continuing conversation with families, alongside classroom adjustments.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Swindon Borough Council’s normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year. The school handles nursery applications itself; the council allocates school places. Keep these two applications separate in your planning.

Preparation for school has a different purpose. Oakhurst aims to help nursery children understand school routines, participate in activities involving the wider school and develop social skills. These experiences support familiarity with school life; they do not secure admission.

Morning sessions run from 08:30 to 11:30, afternoons from 12:20 to 15:20, and full days from 08:30 to 14:30. A charged extension allows children attending a full day to stay until 15:20. Hours beyond a child’s funded allocation also attract charges; contact the school for current charges.

Parents accompany nursery children to their classrooms. For nursery enquiries or to arrange a visit, email admin@oakhurst.swindon.sch.uk or telephone 01793 734754. Nursery applications are made directly to the school using its application form.