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Nursery at The Grove 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A nursery within the Early Years Unit gives Little Grovers its school-based character. At The Grove School in Totnes, the provision serves children aged three to four in the year before compulsory school age. Its term-time model makes the school calendar central to family planning.
The distinction between nursery and early years matters here. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023. That is a judgement about the school's early years provision at that time, rather than a separate nursery rating.
Play and growing independence are the clearest features of the early years learning described in November 2023. Activities drew on children's interests, and most children explored their learning confidently through play. Many could keep their attention on an activity. For parents, this describes learning through active exploration, with independence developing alongside it.
Adults also set high expectations for development and behaviour. This gives the play a clear purpose: children have opportunities to explore while learning how to manage themselves. This describes the school's early years provision in November 2023.
For 2025-26, Little Grovers offered a choice between a three-hour morning, a three-hour afternoon and a six-hour day. Those different lengths gave families a choice about how much of the nursery day their child attended.
Relationships were a strength of early years practice in November 2023: staff established positive connections with children quickly. For a young child, a familiar relationship with an adult is an important part of feeling able to engage with play and learning.
Families can contact the school's special educational needs coordinators at sendco@the-grove-primary.devon.sch.uk. The school's SEND guidance describes working with families and taking children's views into account. It also explains that parents are told when their child joins or leaves the special needs register, giving families a defined point of communication about support.
Parent communication. The November 2023 inspection identified a school-wide concern: some parents felt unheard or insufficiently informed about their child's education. Leaders were required to improve communication. This is relevant context for families assessing their relationship with the school, rather than a nursery-specific finding.
Attending Little Grovers does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process.
Devon residents apply through Devon County Council at www.devon.gov.uk/admissionsonline, with 15 January as the closing date. Families living outside Devon apply through their own council. Keep that application separate from nursery paperwork: accepting a nursery place does not replace the Reception application.
The 2025-26 session timetable listed mornings from 8:45 to 11:45 and afternoons from 11:45 to 14:45. The full day ran from 8:45 to 14:45, with an additional half-hour option ending at 15:15. These were term-time arrangements for that admissions cycle.
Nursery applications use the Nursery Application form and Parent Declaration form. Enquiries can go to admin@the-grove-primary.devon.sch.uk or 01803 862018.
Access. On-site parking is restricted to disabled parking. Families using a car need to park outside the grounds and continue on foot; the school entrance on The Grove has double doors.
Children aged three to four, in the year before compulsory school age.
Little Grovers is within The Grove School's Early Years Unit in Totnes.
A morning from 8:45 to 11:45, an afternoon from 11:45 to 14:45, or a full day from 8:45 to 14:45, with extra time from 14:45 to 15:15. These options applied during term time.
No. A separate Reception application is required. Devon residents apply through Devon County Council, with a closing date of 15 January; residents of other council areas apply through their own council.
Contact the school office at admin@the-grove-primary.devon.sch.uk or call 01803 862018. The nursery application process uses a Nursery Application form and Parent Declaration form.
