Westlea Primary School Nursery Review

Sand, water and outdoor play in every season give Westlea’s nursery a practical, hands-on character. Acorn Class is the nursery provision within Westlea Primary School in Swindon, offering places for children aged 3 to 4. Families can choose a morning, an afternoon or a full day, so the daily pattern can suit different childcare needs.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 20 and 21 June 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school.

Outdoor learning is part of the nursery’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision. Children use the outdoor area whatever the weather, with sand and water areas providing concrete opportunities for play. Wellies stay at nursery; coats, waterproofs and sun hats need to match the season. Outdoor activity is built into the day, rather than reserved for sunshine.

Books provide another clear strand. In June 2023, nursery children were learning to enjoy books together and say sounds accurately, establishing the beginnings of reading. Early reading skills were developing successfully. These are small, purposeful steps towards understanding how books and spoken sounds work.

Curriculum continuity. In June 2023, some wider subjects did not connect sufficiently with learning in early years. Leaders needed to clarify the knowledge children should learn from that starting point onwards. For families, the relevant concern is how those first experiences connect with later learning across subjects.

Lunch also shapes the session. Children attending in the afternoon eat first, while those staying all day have lunch between their morning and afternoon activities.

Settling starts with a plan agreed between staff and parents when a place is accepted. A play and stay visit before the first day lets a child try the nursery alongside their parent. Children settle at different speeds, and staff keep families informed about how things are going. The approach allows the start to reflect the individual child.

Morning children receive milk and a free fruit snack. Children staying all day receive these too, and there are opportunities to taste different vegetables and fruits during the year. For lunch, both full-day and afternoon children can bring food from home or have a paid hot meal booked through SchoolGrid. The school is nut free, which matters when packing lunch.

For additional needs, the school’s SEN team works with teachers on classroom adjustments and support individually or in small groups. Westlea aims to arrange extra help early. Parents can discuss progress with the class teacher and special educational needs coordinator, giving families a route to raise concerns and agree support.

Attending Westlea’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Westlea participates in Swindon Borough Council’s coordinated admissions scheme. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Morning sessions run from 9:00am to 12:00pm; afternoons run from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. A full day runs from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Nursery entry is at the next term’s start after a child turns 3, with September, January and April intakes.

The nursery offers 15 and 30 funded childcare hours for children aged 3 and 4. Families using 15 funded hours can pay for a longer day. Additional paid hours depend on space, with charges invoiced each term and settled through Parentpay. Contact the school for current charges.

Send enquiries to admin@westleaschool.org.uk. Label clothing, pack a spare outfit and provide a named water bottle each day. Spare clothes are also kept in the nursery, useful when sand and water play becomes enthusiastic.