First Steps Nursery at Sampford Peverell Church of England Primary School

Conversation, imaginative play and early independence shape First Steps, the school's pre-school. Nursery children belong to Willow Class, with places offered from their second birthday until they begin Reception. This is a nursery with its own class identity within Sampford Peverell Church of England Primary School.

Indoor and outdoor learning spaces give children room to investigate objects and develop their own play ideas. The nursery aims to build confidence and enthusiasm for learning through these experiences. Its combination of activities guided by adults, group learning and freely chosen play gives children different ways to participate, whether they are exploring independently or learning to make friends.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes practical form here through conversation, mathematical exploration and the physical preparation for writing. Children have opportunities to talk about experiences, ask questions and retell stories. Songs and role play also give them reasons to use language. The emphasis is on building the skills that reading and writing will later need.

ShREC is the named approach to early-years communication. Adults focus alongside a child, respond to their contribution, extend the language they use and keep the conversation going. That makes an everyday exchange part of learning: a child's short comment becomes an opportunity to hear more vocabulary and practise explaining an idea.

Before formal phonics, pre-school children practise distinguishing sounds, remembering them and talking about what they hear. Fred Talk, part of Read Write Inc., starts during the pre-school summer term. Adults separate a word into sounds for children to put together, preparing them for blending.

Mathematics combines activities directed by adults with learning children initiate themselves. Counting, spotting patterns and exploring shape sit alongside mathematical language and problem solving, with daily play and investigation both outside and indoors. Early writing includes making marks and practising shapes, as well as activities that develop hand strength and coordination. These are practical foundations for controlling a pencil.

The staffing structure includes a lead pre-school practitioner and an early-years apprentice. Tapestry connects home with nursery learning: families can see activities and contribute observations from home, helping adults share a fuller picture of a child's experiences.

Daily refreshments include free vegetables or fruit, plus milk. Children bring their own water bottle and spare clothes, with belongings labelled. For children attending an afternoon session or a full day, lunch can be brought from home or taken as a school meal. The school is nut-free, so packed lunches and snacks must exclude nuts.

In January 2025, Ofsted found that nursery and Reception children settled into routines willingly, played cooperatively and engaged with purposeful resources and activities. That finding gives parents a dated picture of how children participated in the early-years day, rather than a separate nursery grade.

Attending First Steps does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Admission requests go through Devon County Council's Admissions Team. Treat choosing nursery and applying for school as separate decisions; familiarity with the setting does not secure admission.

Full-day attendance and afternoon sessions are offered, and government-funded hours are available. Contact the nursery at sampford@THSP.org.uk; the office can also be reached on 01884 820284. School visits can be arranged through the office.

Breakfast care. The breakfast club accepts children from Reception onwards. Families choosing First Steps should therefore plan around their nursery attendance rather than include that club in their childcare arrangements.