Foxyards Primary School Nursery Review

A box of treasured objects, a surprise storyteller and messy play give Foxyards nursery a character of its own. Chatter Box and Mystery Reader bring family interests into the classroom, making conversation and books part of the shared nursery experience.

The provision at Foxyards Primary School, also known as Foxyards Academy, caters for children aged three and four. Capacity is 26 full-time (30-hour) places, with both part-time and full-time attendance offered during term time. The nursery classroom was refurbished in 2021. It provides a base for practical learning within the school's early years provision.

Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good following its inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Practical activity and talk shape the learning. Children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which combines communication, movement and social development with early literacy, maths, creativity and learning about the world. Experiences take place outside as well as indoors. Planned activities build on earlier learning, while the nursery also makes room for children's interests and their own pace of exploration.

Chatter Box gives two nursery children each week a turn to take home a small box and fill it with meaningful objects. Family photographs, a favourite toy or something collected can become the starting point for talking to classmates. The listening children ask questions. It is a concrete way to practise both explaining an idea and paying attention to someone else's.

Books recur throughout the day: nursery children have three story sessions daily, alongside songs and nursery rhymes. These develop familiarity with characters, the shape of a story, rhythm and rhyme before formal phonics. Mystery Reader adds a family contribution on Fridays at 14:45, lasting 15 minutes. Parents can tell a familiar story with puppets or props as well as read a book, so participation need not depend on confident reading aloud.

In November 2023, early years children enjoyed pretend cooking, number activities and exploring materials through pouring and scooping. Adults supported language and demonstrated social interaction, using straightforward instructions to help children learn. These findings give substance to the nursery's emphasis on learning through activity.

Support for becoming familiar with school routines was a strength of early years in November 2023. Adults helped children respond to those routines, giving them a framework for joining in with learning and play.

Evidence Me connects classroom learning with home. Staff record photographs, video and observations, while parents can contribute experiences from home through an app. A login is arranged during the child's first nursery week. Termly workshops also let parents join learning activities with their children, providing another practical point of contact.

For additional needs, the school's SEND team supports communication, learning, emotional needs and physical or sensory needs. Families can contact the SEND coordinator through school. Foxyards also works with catering suppliers on freshly cooked school meals and aims for a balanced diet.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application to their home local authority through the normal admissions route, by the normal deadline. Choosing nursery and applying for Reception are distinct decisions.

Preparation for the next stage happens through the nursery curriculum: planned learning develops knowledge and skills for Reception, with flexibility for individual interests. That educational preparation should be considered separately from the allocation of a school place.

Term-time part-time sessions run from 8:45 to 11:45 or from 12:30 to 15:30. The funding arrangement offers 15 hours weekly for three- and four-year-olds, with 30 funded hours subject to eligibility. Paid 30-hour childcare is another option, with lunchtime supervision charged separately; contact the school for current charges.

Nursery applications go onto a waiting list, and families are contacted when a place is available. Applicants need their contact details, their child's date of birth and, where applicable, a 30-hour code. For enquiries, email info@foxyardsacademy.com or call 01902 553230.