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Nursery at Picknalls First 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Speech, language and confidence give Picknalls nursery its clearest educational character. This is the school's own nursery on Oldfields Road in Uttoxeter, with places for children from age 3. It offers an early start within the school, while Happy Hours @ Picknalls supplies before and after school childcare for families needing a longer day.
At the November 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that early years learning developed children's confidence and knowledge, with speech, communication and language receiving specific attention. These are useful foundations for a young child: expressing needs and ideas is part of becoming ready for later learning. Activities in the early years were engaging and gave children a positive educational start.
There was also a wider school concern about assessment. Checks sometimes failed to establish readiness before new work began, while opportunities to explore learning more deeply were insufficient for some pupils. This was a school finding, rather than a nursery-specific criticism, but it makes the balance between support and further challenge a useful consideration for families.
In November 2024, the initial support for children joining Nursery helped them adjust promptly. That matters at this age, when becoming comfortable with a new setting is part of the move into education.
The school's SEND support includes additional practice with support staff, either individually in the classroom or in small groups outside it. Teachers and support staff collaborate with parents and professionals, including physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. The school says it values parents' knowledge of their child's needs. For families with concerns, the SEND team can be contacted at sendco@pfs.i2e.org.uk or through the school on 01889 228700.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, meeting the deadline for their child's entry year.
For the September 2026 intake, applications could be made online and closed on 15th January 2026. That deadline has passed. Treat the nursery choice and the later school application as separate decisions: starting here is an educational arrangement, not an assurance of a Reception offer.
Applications to Nursery are accepted throughout the year, and children can join after their third birthday. The school aims to respond to the nursery application form within 2 working days. Nursery enquiries can also go to office@pfs.i2e.org.uk.
Happy Hours @ Picknalls provides care before school from 7am to 9am and after school from 3.25pm to 6pm. Combined with nursery, the childcare arrangement can cover 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Families eligible for either 15 or 30 funded childcare hours for three-year-olds, whose child already has a nursery place, can use their funding to book the Happy Hours sessions too.
Bookings for Happy Hours are made online after creating an account. Its holiday club runs from 7am to 6pm, with the location dependent on numbers. For Happy Hours enquiries, call 07518 383775. This gives working families a separate booking route for the care surrounding the nursery day.
Children can join after their third birthday, and nursery applications are accepted throughout the year.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process for the relevant entry year.
Families eligible for 15 or 30 funded childcare hours for three-year-olds, whose child has a nursery place, can use funding to book before and after school care with Happy Hours.
Before school care runs from 7am to 9am, and after school care from 3.25pm to 6pm. Its holiday club runs from 7am to 6pm, with the location dependent on numbers.
Contact the school's SEND team at sendco@pfs.i2e.org.uk or telephone 01889 228700.
