Whetstone Field Primary School Nursery

A morning of learning or a day finishing at three: Whetstone Field’s nursery gives families two distinct session patterns. The provision belongs to the primary school on Beaufort Way in Aldridge, where children can begin their school life from age three. The wider school has one class per year group, placing the nursery within a small primary setting.

The practical distinction is clear. Morning attendance corresponds to 15 hours, while the longer pattern corresponds to 30 hours. Families can choose between an earlier collection and a session extending through the afternoon.

Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which brings together seven connected areas of development. Talking and listening, physical development, and learning to manage emotions and relationships form its three prime areas. Reading and writing, mathematics, exploring the world and creative expression build on those foundations. For parents, that means early learning encompasses much more than preparation for written work.

Hands-on exploration forms part of the early-years science approach. Children have first-hand experiences and resources to investigate, with some activities initiated by children and others directed by adults. This gives them both opportunities to pursue their curiosity and guidance as they explore something new.

Physical learning uses Twinkl PE Mastery across the EYFS and later school years. Its focus includes balance, coordination and basic movement skills: useful foundations for children developing control of their bodies.

Ofsted’s October 2023 inspection gave a concrete example of nursery mathematics: children rapidly developed the ability to identify small groups of objects without counting them individually. That is a specific picture of early number learning, rather than a claim based on the older pupils’ results.

Class Dojo is the school’s principal channel for parent communication. It carries newsletters and information alongside individual messages, giving families a route for both general updates and contact about their child.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school’s inclusion approach places responsibility on teachers to adapt classroom organisation, materials and teaching to children’s needs. The SENCO responsibility is shared across senior leadership, with enquiries directed to sen@whetstonefield.co.uk.

Safeguarding training covers all school staff at Level 1, while senior leaders undertake Level 2 training. Families can also receive advice or help with referrals through the school’s Early Help work. These arrangements provide routes for support beyond classroom learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and is not one of the listed oversubscription priorities. The admission criteria instead cover children in public care, qualifying siblings, evidenced medical or social need, and distance. Nursery attendance and Reception allocation are separate matters.

Parents must make a fresh online Reception application through Walsall School Admissions. The deadline is usually 15 January in the intended starting year, with the exact date to be checked through that service. A nursery place should therefore sit alongside, rather than replace, the family’s Reception application plans.

Morning sessions run daily from 9am to noon; the longer sessions run from 9am to 3pm. Nursery doors open between 8:50am and 9am. Children with siblings elsewhere in the school may be collected at 3:10pm, a useful allowance when coordinating collections.

Access to 15 or 30 hours of early education and care carries no additional charge. Refer to the school for current charges for any extras.

For a September 2027 nursery start, contact the school between September and December 2026 and submit the application directly to school by 15 January 2027. Enquiries go to office@whetstonefield.co.uk or 01922 743498. Prospective families can also contact the school to arrange a visit.