Swindon Academy Tree House Nursery

Songs, sound games and conversation give Tree House Nursery its character: language runs through the learning day. Swindon Academy’s nursery provision starts from age 2 and operates across Beech Avenue in Pinehurst and Alton Close in Penhill, placing early learning within the academy’s primary sites.

Ofsted’s May 2026 report judged the early years to be Strong standard. Children make substantial progress from their individual starting points, with staff using purposeful activities and conversation to develop their understanding. This is an early-years judgement within the school’s inspection.

Play takes several forms here. Children explore indoors and outside, combining activities planned by adults with play they initiate themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning about language, relationships and movement with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. For parents, that means play serves several purposes rather than sitting apart from learning.

Early reading has a named approach: Read Write Inc phonics begins in Nursery 4’s. Oral games introduce sounds through pictures and objects, while children practise separating and combining sounds aloud. These activities give children something concrete to connect with the sounds they hear. Songs and rhymes add further opportunities to practise language.

The learning environment is arranged to help children choose and act independently. Staff know what each child needs to learn next and build that into activities, using exchanges with children to extend their thinking and vocabulary. In May 2026, early language and reading were clear priorities throughout the day. Conversation is part of the teaching.

Relationships with staff are warm, and care routines take account of the youngest children. The May 2026 early-years findings also show that learning is adjusted for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and other barriers, helping them participate alongside other children.

There is a qualification to that positive picture. Support and writing. The May 2026 school-wide improvement actions called for closer checking of SEND progress, more precise curriculum adjustments and further work on gaps in writing across all phases. For families, the useful focus is how an individual child’s next steps are identified and reviewed.

Attending Tree House Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Swindon Borough Council’s online application route. For September 2027 entry, applications run from 1 September 2026 to 15 January 2027, for children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023.

Site preference. Parents can request Alton Close or Beech Avenue, but an oversubscribed site may not be allocated. Plan the Reception application separately from the nursery arrangement, including the choice of site.

Universal funding provides three- and four-year-olds with 15 hours each week across 38 weeks, beginning in the term following their third birthday. It requires no application. Working-family funding provides eligible two-year-olds with 30 hours across 38 weeks; for three- and four-year-olds, it combines with universal funding to total 30 hours.

Two-year-olds in families receiving additional government support can receive 15 hours across 38 weeks, starting in the term after they turn 2. Applications go to EY&Cbrokerage@swindon.gov.uk. Additional paid hours can be supported through Tax-Free Childcare; nursery fees are payable one month in advance through ParentPay, and missed sessions still require payment.

Nursery applications use an online form, with enquiries directed to Nursery@swindon-academy.org. Uniform includes a navy sweatshirt bearing the academy logo and purple nursery colour, making nursery clothing identifiable within the primary uniform.