St Nicholas CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Doors from the main playroom lead straight outside at Wrens, giving children a choice between indoor activity and garden play. This is the nursery at St Nicholas CofE Primary School in East Challow, for three- and four-year-olds. Its base is Burrows, a purpose-built space that also houses Reception.

Wrens participates in school events where possible, so nursery life includes contact with the wider school community. The physical arrangements keep younger children in mind: small toilets, low basins and a sheltered outdoor play area sit alongside access to the school hall and field.

Play combines activities guided by staff with opportunities for children to pursue their own ideas. Free Flow Play gives children decisions to make about their activity, their companions and whether to spend time inside or outside. Messy activities, pretend play and quieter options are part of that choice. Direct access to the outdoor space makes changing between the two environments part of the session.

The morning begins with registration and small-group activity. Children then choose indoor or garden activities, with adult-guided work shaped around their interests and learning needs. A rolling snack allows children to take a drink and something to eat during the morning. Tidying, singing and a story bring the session towards its close. Afternoon children also have group time and activity choices, followed later by milk, singing and a story.

Beyond the garden, Wrens can use the wildlife garden and Forest School area, as well as the hall and field. These give play different settings, rather than keeping the whole session in one room. Wellies stay at nursery for daily outdoor play.

In January 2023, early-years children practised skills through activities, while adults demonstrated speech sounds and checked children’s pronunciation. Those details connect play and adult guidance with the beginnings of reading.

Settling is treated as a partnership with parents. Staff offer reassurance during the first days and share feedback when the child’s day finishes. Parents are encouraged to discuss worries with the Wrens team, recognising that children take different amounts of time to become comfortable with a new routine.

Toilet training is not an entry requirement. A key person works with parents on this stage, and the child-sized bathroom fittings make practising independence physically manageable. Spare clothes, including socks and underwear, belong in each child’s kit.

Food follows the session pattern: a healthy morning snack and drink, packed lunch for children attending on the 30-hour arrangement, and afternoon milk. The school’s SEND support uses a repeating cycle of assessing needs, planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing progress. Parents of children on the SEND register are invited to three review meetings per year, giving families recurring opportunities to discuss support.

Attending Wrens does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. The application route is Oxfordshire County Council.

Sharing Burrows with Reception gives nursery children an early-years base within the school. That physical connection is separate from the allocation of Reception places. Families should keep the Reception application as a distinct task, even when their child already attends Wrens.

The current timetable has morning attendance from 9am to noon, afternoon attendance from noon to 3pm, and full-day attendance from 9am to 3pm. The nursery says these opening hours are due for review, so treat the timetable as subject to change. Funding is described as 15 or 30 hours weekly over 38 weeks for three- and four-year-olds.

For nursery enquiries, use the Nursery Interest Form or contact the office on 01235 763858 or officesn@snc.cambrianlt.org. Uniform is optional. Label clothing, provide shoes with Velcro fastenings and send weather-appropriate coats or sunhats.

Drop-off and collection take place at the nursery door. Tell staff promptly about delays or a different collector; someone collecting for the first time should bring identification. Parents are asked to save routine discussions for the end of the session, helping activities start on time.