Christ Church Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Daily stories, Listening Lola and Beat Baby give this nursery a clear emphasis on listening and language. At Christ Church Church of England Primary School in Leamore, children become eligible after their third birthday, subject to places becoming available. This is the school's own nursery provision, within a Church of England primary school on Harden Road.

The school aims to combine its Christian ethos with equal regard for children of different abilities, races and faiths. For families, that makes both the religious character and the approach to inclusion relevant to the choice.

Stories are a daily shared activity. Adults use actions and different voices, then ask questions about the pictures and characters. Repeated books give children opportunities to join familiar phrases and recognise rhyme. Listening Lola and Beat Baby also feature in group listening activities. The emphasis is on hearing, talking and understanding before formal phonics begins.

Essential Letters and Sounds Foundation brings a specific sequence to early reading. Nursery children practise joining spoken sounds into words each day. In spring, Phase 2 teaching introduces one focus sound each week, alongside recognising an initial sound and forming its letter. The 1000 Stories Scheme starts in autumn, while communication and language work follows Well Comm skills. Reading activities extend into both the classroom and outdoor learning, giving children opportunities to practise beyond the group session.

Maths is practical too. Within the early years foundation stage (EYFS), daily opportunities combine activities led by adults with learning through ongoing provision. Nursery tasks include comparing groups by quantity, constructing with shapes and noticing differences between shapes. These turn early mathematical ideas into things children can handle, compare and discuss.

Seasonal topics broaden the learning: All About Me begins the autumn sequence, The World Around Me features in spring, and All Creatures Great and Small appears in summer. Religious education uses Understanding Christianity and Walsall SACRE planning for a weekly EYFS input, with activities about festivals including Eid and Diwali. Nursery RE learning is recorded in Floor Books. The wider school also has its own forest on site, a concrete feature of the school grounds.

Parents can email the nursery teacher with questions. That gives families a direct route for raising concerns about their child's experience.

Across the school, the SEND approach aims to identify difficulties early and treats parents' understanding of their child as part of planning support. For children with food allergies or intolerances, parents are encouraged to arrange a discussion with the school cook about individual requirements. This is a useful opportunity to explain dietary needs directly.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the local authority process; nursery allocation and entry to full-time school are separate decisions.

For Walsall residents applying for September 2026 Reception entry, the online application deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle is now past. The important distinction remains: choosing this nursery and applying for a Reception place are two separate steps.

Morning nursery runs from 8.45am to 11.45am; the afternoon session runs from 12.20pm to 3.30pm. The different finishing times matter when planning collection around work or other children.

Nursery enquiries can go through the school office on 01922 710080 or christchurchpostbox@stbartsmat.co.uk. Families considering the school can book a tour through the office during the normal school day, providing an opportunity to see the setting before deciding.