Chuckery Primary School Nursery

Learning to recognise sounds, joining in action songs and practising how to share: Chuckery’s nursery starts with the building blocks of communication and playing together. It belongs to the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), giving young children a place within the primary school rather than a separate childcare setting.

Chuckery also has provision for two-year-olds. At the September 2023 inspection, those children had yet to begin attending, so the early-years findings should be read with that distinction in mind.

Language gives the nursery day its clearest shape. Children learn to distinguish sounds and produce them themselves, laying foundations for later reading. Read Write Inc is the phonics programme used across EYFS, with nursery’s sound work providing the starting point.

The EYFS approach to English connects talking, listening and early writing with practical experiences. Action rhymes link words to movement; role play gives children reasons to talk; stories and non-fiction introduce different kinds of language. Children can experiment with marks and watch adults write, making the connection between spoken ideas and something recorded on paper.

Conversation happens both individually and in small groups. For children learning English alongside another language, the approach includes sensitivity to their needs and using their home language where appropriate. Signs, books and notices form part of the planned language environment: words become something children encounter around them, as well as something adults teach.

In September 2023, early-years children were being taught to share and play considerately. That makes learning to get along part of the educational day, alongside developing language.

Lunch has a defined place for children attending the nursery’s 30-hour provision: their break runs from 11:45am to 12:30pm. Meals are cooked daily in the school’s kitchen. The catering team prepares food for the children and accommodates allergy requirements, religious needs and other dietary needs, giving families a practical point of contact through the office for food discussions.

For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), parents can contact the SENCo through the main school telephone number. Welfare, medical or safeguarding concerns can be raised with the safeguarding team. These are distinct routes for different concerns, helping parents take a learning question or a care concern to the relevant team.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline; school places at Chuckery are allocated by Walsall Council.

Keep that application separate from arranging nursery attendance. The school office and family support link worker can help with nursery placement enquiries, while the School Admissions Team provides advice about school admissions. Familiarity with Chuckery should not be treated as a confirmed school place.

Nursery placement enquiries go through the school office or family support link worker. The administration team can also be reached on 01922 449104 or at postbox@chuckery.walsall.sch.uk, providing a direct route for general questions.

The school’s clothing requirements include a maroon cardigan or sweatshirt, a yellow or white polo shirt, and black or grey trousers or a skirt. Logos are optional on the sweatshirt, cardigan and polo shirt. A waterproof coat and water bottle are needed throughout the year.

Chuckery expects nursery attendance of at least 90%. Parents should telephone the office on the first day of illness-related absence, so staff know why their child is away.