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Nursery at Ashcroft Infants' School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play dough, beads and imaginative play give Ashcroft's early years provision a practical character: small hands gain control while conversation builds vocabulary. The nursery is Robin Class, part of Ashcroft Infants' School in Tamworth. Children can join from the term following their third birthday.
In the inspection published on 3 February 2026, Ofsted judged early years to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Learning combines adult teaching with activities inside and outside. Across early years, children revisit what adults have introduced through their play, giving them opportunities to put new knowledge to use. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven areas of learning. Here, physical development and language have clear, practical expression.
Working with beads and play dough helps children develop the hand control needed for a pencil. Conversation has an equally deliberate purpose: adults introduce vocabulary, including obstacle and wandering, which children then bring into pretend play. These are concrete connections between teaching and what children do for themselves. Play carries learning forward.
Listening to the sounds within words begins in nursery, building foundations for later phonics. There is a qualification to keep in view: in February 2026, the new phonics programme was still taking hold, with staff building confidence in its delivery. Consistent implementation remained an improvement priority.
Outdoor learning also has a named setting within the school grounds: the Forest School area. Children at Ashcroft have regular sessions there, learning about plants, animals and seasonal change. Its developmental curriculum includes shelter construction and learning to handle tools and fire safely. This gives the school's outdoor provision a practical focus alongside learning indoors.
Relationships with families support the start of nursery life. Ashcroft organises induction to help children settle, and the February 2026 early years findings identified effective communication with parents. Families felt their children had begun school life positively.
Class Dojo connects home and classroom through photographs, class updates and digital portfolios. Parents can contribute drawings or videos from home and message teachers. Urgent communication goes to the office; messages sent outside working hours wait until the following working day.
Early years staff also use their relationships with parents to recognise special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantage promptly. For families whose child may need additional help, those conversations have a practical purpose: identifying needs early.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, directly to the Education Authority. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery attendance, and meet the deadline for the relevant intake. Familiarity with the school is not a secured place.
The morning nursery session runs from 9am to noon. Afternoon attendance is available between noon and 3pm, with variable hours, giving families another attendance pattern to consider alongside the morning session.
Nursery applications go through the school office: call 01827 213760 or email office@ashcroft.staffs.sch.uk. This is also the enquiry route for families planning to join Robin Class.
Places are offered from the term after a child turns three.
The morning session is 9am to noon. Afternoon sessions are available from noon to 3pm, with variable hours.
No. Reception requires a separate application, made directly to the Education Authority through the normal admissions process.
Class Dojo provides class updates, photographs, portfolios and messages. Urgent messages must go to the school office.
Contact the school office on 01827 213760 or email office@ashcroft.staffs.sch.uk.
