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Nursery at St Christopher's 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Dedicated outdoor space, French songs and specialist music teaching shaped this nursery's character within St Christopher's School at Staverton, near Totnes. But the decisive fact for families now is closure: a statement dated 12 May 2026 announced that the Prep School and Nursery would close in July 2026. Prospective enquiries and tours have stopped. This is a historical profile of the provision, rather than an invitation to apply.
Children could start from rising three, meaning the term containing their third birthday. The nursery occupied its own indoor and outdoor areas within the school. In November 2023, the combined Nursery and Reception group numbered 11 children; that was an early-years roll, not a nursery capacity.
The day combined imaginative play with planned teaching and practical activities. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connected learning to everyday development: talking and listening, physical coordination and relationships sat alongside early reading, number work, exploring the world and making things. Dedicated indoor and outdoor areas gave these activities space beyond a single classroom.
Letterland introduced letter sounds, with writing beginning when children were ready. Counting objects and making patterns brought mathematics into practical play. Cooking, threading and scissor work exercised hand control, while choosing activities and sharing resources gave children practice in independence and cooperation.
Specialist teaching added a distinctive school connection. French began through games and songs; music involved singing, instruments and dance. Weekly PE and the opportunity for swimming throughout the year extended physical activity. Termly poetry performances gave language learning a purpose beyond listening to stories.
In November 2023, early-years adults helped children broaden their vocabulary through questions, while reading instruction built progressively from letter sounds. Later examples added colour to that curriculum: Apple Week in October 2025 included tasting, crafts and simple experiments, and Wheely Wednesday brought bikes, scooters and ride-ons into the playground with nursery children taking part.
Each child had an individual learning journey that parents were encouraged to share. That created a concrete connection between home and nursery learning. In November 2023, early-years children had supportive relationships with adults and played cooperatively with one another.
Safeguarding arrangements covered the early years, but the same inspection identified matters requiring attention across the school: site risk assessments needed further development, relationships with local safeguarding partners needed strengthening, and more senior staff needed safer recruitment training. Safeguarding policies were corrected during the inspection. These findings belong alongside the positive account of children's relationships, rather than being lost behind it.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application for Reception through their chosen school's normal process and meet its deadline. With St Christopher's closure announced for July 2026, families considering their next setting should plan nursery and Reception choices separately.
Historically, Nursery children joined Reception children for some music and movement lessons. In November 2023, they worked together successfully, giving the younger children experience of learning alongside the next class. That classroom connection was transition practice, not an admissions entitlement.
The historical nursery day ran from 9am to 3pm, with a morning session ending at noon and an afternoon session beginning then. A separate lunch session ran from noon to 1pm. Early drop-off began at 8.30am, and late collection extended to 5pm for an additional charge.
Funding was accepted in daily blocks of three, four or six hours, with a weekly maximum of 30 hours. The charging structure distinguished the first 15 funded hours from the additional 15 for eligible children, to which specialist fees applied; swimming also carried an extra charge. Funding covered 38 weeks, with charges for the first September week and final July week where families normally used their full weekly allocation.
Closure and enquiries. The admissions and enquiry pages now decline prospective tours and enquiries following the closure announcement. Families seeking a new place should pursue another setting.
No. Prospective tours and enquiries have stopped following the announcement of closure at the end of Summer Term 2026.
Children could join from rising three, at the start of the term in which their third birthday fell.
The historical main day was 9am to 3pm. Charged early drop-off began at 8.30am, with late collection until 5pm.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families need a separate Reception application through the appropriate process for their chosen school.
The curriculum used Letterland to introduce letter sounds and writing when children were ready, alongside stories, rhymes and poetry.
