Oakengates Nursery School: nursery life and the next step

Play, conversation and growing independence give Oakengates its character. The nursery says joyful, meaningful play shapes its approach, with relationships and children’s emotional wellbeing central to its aims. This is a maintained nursery school for children aged 2–4, within Wrockwardine Wood Infant School & Oakengates Nursery Federation. Alongside it sits separate day care for younger children.

Since 24 February 2025, the nursery has occupied its Charlton Street site in Oakengates, Telford. The premises are purpose-built. For families, the useful distinction is between the nursery school’s early education and the day care services that can extend care around it.

Learning starts with children’s interests. Staff observe their play, take account of what parents notice at home and use that information to plan the next steps. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, move, manage feelings and relationships, explore stories and numbers, and express ideas creatively. Development Matters guides decisions about what each child needs next.

Conversation has practical support. An Early Communication Screen is used on entry and once each term to identify difficulties with understanding or spoken language, helping staff plan suitable interventions. In June 2025, Ofsted found that signing, visual cues and additional language support helped children communicate; children’s conversations about minibeasts showed their developing vocabulary.

Weekly yoga and music sit alongside songs, rhymes and storytelling. Community visitors introduce people who help others and different family celebrations, giving children experiences to talk about. Caring for ducklings adds another concrete lesson in responsibility. Pre-school children also practise brushing their teeth daily, connecting healthy habits with an understanding of dental care.

Adult interaction. The June 2025 inspection identified occasions when staff missed chances to develop vocabulary and understanding, including intervening too late in play. Families should weigh this teaching concern alongside the specific language support in place.

Settling begins at home. After a place is allocated, a home visit precedes an induction session, and an assigned key person helps the child adjust. A nursery teacher and early years practitioner explain the curriculum and assessment during induction. Meeting familiar adults before regular attendance gives the child a relationship to build on.

Parents are invited to termly stay-and-play sessions, where staff share observations and discuss developmental next steps. A written summer report follows before the move to school. For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), teachers and the SENDCo review Individual Provision Maps every half term. Visual timetables, wobble cushions and sensory objects provide practical support for individual needs.

Meals are cooked on site by Telford and Wrekin Catering; families can instead send a healthy packed lunch. Snacks include milk or water. Staff use visual behaviour reminders on their lanyards, giving children prompts they can recognise. Safeguarding arrangements were effective in June 2025.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through Telford and Wrekin school admissions by the normal deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and securing a school place as separate decisions.

Once a school place has been allocated, the nursery invites the receiving Reception teacher to meet the child at nursery. For children with additional needs, the qualified teacher and special needs coordinator arrange a meeting with the receiving school’s SENDCo. Classroom visits depend on the school. These arrangements support continuity of care and learning; they are separate from admission.

The 15-hour funded offer can be taken as morning sessions, 8:45am–11:45am, or afternoons, 12:30pm–3:30pm. Additional sessions can be booked separately. Eligible families can access Talking 2s funding for two-year-olds, while eligible children may receive 30 funded hours. Breakfast Club, lunch care, After School Club and a holiday club for nursery children provide further care options.

Extras. Funded hours are free to access; additional care, meals, snacks and consumables are optional and charged separately. For children using 15 funded hours, staying over lunchtime incurs an additional childcare charge because that period falls outside their entitlement. Ask the nursery for current charges.

Tours can be booked on 01952 387 910. Initial application forms are available from the nursery office, which also handles enquiries at oakengates.admin@taw.org.uk. If another adult collects your child, inform the nursery; a password verifies their identity.