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Nursery at Antony Church of England 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Outdoor exploration and storytelling give Antony’s nursery its character. Children aged 3 and 4 belong to the school’s own provision, with nursery and Reception forming one of its four classes. This combines an outdoor nursery with a classroom organised into learning zones, giving children different ways to explore ideas and play.
In January 2026, Ofsted judged early years to be at the Strong standard. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection. Nursery children developed independence and played cooperatively, while conversations with staff helped them understand and use new vocabulary.
Play and adult teaching work together here. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, manage feelings and play with others with early number work, creativity and physical development. Antony uses a Reggio Amelia approach to organise its classroom into zones. Children choose resources and follow their interests; adults demonstrate ways to use those materials and extend the possibilities. There is room for children’s own ideas.
Home corners, puppets and construction sit alongside Curiosity Cubes and opportunities for outdoor play. Counting, comparing order and beginning to measure bring mathematics into the learning. Books, poems and rhymes build language, while the Helicopter Story approach lets nursery children invent stories aloud and act them out. Mark making gives their ideas another form.
Outside, children investigate plants, animals and seasonal changes, solve problems together and develop physical skills. The outdoor nursery programme includes seed sowing, searching for minibeasts and den building, as well as drawing and cooking. These are practical ways to connect language, number and cooperation with things children can handle and observe.
The staffing structure includes outdoor nursery leaders and an EYFS class teacher. Across the trust’s outdoor nurseries, staff collaborate under an EYFS phase leader, bringing a shared team structure to this part of the provision.
In January 2026, adults supported children’s learning through purposeful conversation and gave help when it was needed. For children with additional needs, the school’s support arrangements include a Record of Need and termly discussions between families and the class teacher about progress, targets and strategies. The school works with the Speech and Language Team and an educational psychology service, providing routes to specialist advice alongside classroom support.
Safeguarding responsibilities include a designated lead and deputy, regular staff training and the recording of concerns through Safeguard My School. These arrangements give staff a defined process for raising concerns and recording the response.
Attending Antony’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.
Preparation for the move is a different matter. Staff work with parents and carers, using video recordings and activities to help children prepare to join their Antony bear in Reception. Growing independence supports that transition, but these preparations do not secure admission.
Families can enquire by emailing ant.head@stbarnabasmat.com or calling 01752 812555. A school visit can be arranged, with opportunities to talk to staff, children and parents. That offers a useful introduction to the people and setting before choosing the nursery.
The school’s nursery provision caters for children aged 3 and 4.
Children explore nature and seasonal changes, work together on problems and take part in activities such as planting seeds, den building and hunting minibeasts.
Nursery children hear tales, play with rhyme and sound, and make marks. Through the Helicopter Story approach, they create stories verbally and act them out.
A school visit can be arranged by emailing ant.head@stbarnabasmat.com or calling 01752 812555, with opportunities to speak to staff, parents and children.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee admission to Reception, and families must make a separate Reception application through the normal process.
