St John's Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Songs, sandcastles and learning to remember give St John's nursery its character. Singing begins the reading journey here, while practical activity gives children something concrete to recall and explain. This is the nursery within St John's Church of England Primary School on Brook Lane, Walsall Wood, alongside a separately identified provision for two-year-olds called Little Saints.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at its inspection on 10 and 11 October 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Two session patterns shape the day: mornings run from 8:45am to 11:45am, and afternoons from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. These give families a clear distinction between the nursery timetable and the longer school day.

Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), learning takes practical forms. In October 2023, children recalled the steps involved in building sandcastles, applied their phonics knowledge to signs and remembered how to move hoops and balance on beams. Adults prompted them to think back to what they had learned and how they had done it. The implication is useful: remembering is practised through activity, rather than confined to answering questions.

Creative work adds another way to communicate. Early years art involves exploring tools and materials, choosing techniques and explaining how a creation was made. Nursery children also contributed paired artwork to The Big Frieze, a school project depicting the Bible's story. It gives the nursery a concrete connection to the school's Christian character.

Settling starts before the first regular session. The SEND policy describes nursery visits, with extra visits arranged where needed, and a parent meeting to help families prepare for routines. Parents of children with identified special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) meet the SENCO before entry, so concerns can be discussed in advance.

Support combines individual learning with participation alongside friends. In October 2023, early years children with SEND benefited from tailored programmes and time to pause when needed. This gives families an example of how additional support can fit around shared nursery experiences.

The school's SEND arrangements involve parents in assessing needs, planning support and reviewing progress. Dojo provides a route to the class teacher, and SEN reviews share progress termly. For medical needs, care plans are developed with parents and specialist nurses. Physical care also has a place: the accessibility plan covering 2023–25 describes a nursery ramp, a changing area and an accessible toilet with a wet room.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Walsall Council administers Reception applications, while the school handles nursery entry. For the September 2026 Reception intake, the deadline was 15 January 2026; that cycle is past.

Preparation for a new class is a separate matter. Shuffle Time lets children experience their next classroom, teachers exchange transition plans, and parent meetings introduce the new routines. For children needing additional help, transition plans are developed with families. Familiarity can support the move, but it does not secure admission.

Nursery registration uses an online form or a downloaded form delivered to the school office, together with the child's birth certificate. The school normally makes nursery offers around January or February of the year a child is due to start.

General enquiries can go to office@st-johns.walsall.sch.uk or 01543 452197. Families travelling by scooter or bicycle can use the school's locked cycle shelter; its travel guidance calls for helmets and high-visibility clothing.