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Nursery at Wantage Primary Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, sound games and an outdoor classroom give Wantage Primary Academy’s nursery day its shape. Children aged two to four attend the school’s own nursery, with capacity expressed as 26 full-time equivalent places rather than a headcount. That distinction matters when comparing a mixture of full-day and shorter attendance patterns.
Early years provision was graded Outstanding by Ofsted following the inspection on 16 and 17 May 2023. This was an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.
A shared carpet session begins the day. The nursery teacher and team revisit a central story or introduce the day’s learning before children move between group work and free-flow activities. Adult teaching and opportunities to explore both have a place, giving children a common starting point and room to pursue their interests.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers early number and literacy skills alongside movement, communication, relationships, creativity and understanding the world. In practice, nursery activities include making marks, reading, maths and physical play. Planning responds to children’s developmental stages and interests, so the day combines shared themes with individual starting points. Terrific Tales and Animals are among the early years topics.
Supersonic Phonic Friends supplies the phonics approach. Nursery sound games develop careful listening, the ability to distinguish sounds, and skills in joining and separating them. Stories also become play: in May 2023, children in early years retold familiar tales and acted them out. That gives language practice a purpose beyond answering an adult’s questions.
Daily access to the nursery Outdoor Classroom extends practical learning beyond the indoor room. Early years children also use devices and toys operated by remote control, allowing them to experiment with simple technology through play.
Early years settling arrangements include a visit by the class teacher to the child’s home or existing setting, plus a meeting with parents before admission. For children with special educational needs, teachers generally attend transition meetings; children with severe SEND needs can receive additional transition support. An individual transition can be planned where needed, making preparation responsive to the child.
The class teacher is the first contact for concerns, with the SENDCo involved when further help is needed. Parents contribute to support planning, and SEND reviews normally happen three times per year. For children learning English as an additional language, support includes pictures and objects to explain ideas, acceptance of non-verbal responses and learning plans shared with parents. These arrangements give families ways to contribute knowledge of their child.
Nursery Lunch Club is a charged provision for children attending for 30 hours. Tax-free childcare and several voucher schemes can be used for payment. In May 2023, early years children also learnt toothbrushing, bringing a practical health skill into their learning.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Oxfordshire County Council. For September 2026 entry, the on-time deadline was 15 January 2026; that application cycle is now past.
Summer-term stay-and-play sessions are offered to prospective Reception children and their parents. Children needing additional transition support can have an individual plan. Familiarisation helps children prepare for change, but it is separate from the allocation of a school place.
Attendance runs over 38 weeks each year. Part-time places comprise 15 hours a week, allocated as mornings or afternoons; full-time places comprise 30 hours. For three- and four-year-olds, the pattern depends on age and eligibility. A few funded places for two-year-olds require a funding code, with autumn entry and priority for those turning three before 31 December.
Morning timing. Both 9:30am and 8:40am are given as nursery starts. Confirm the agreed start when accepting a place. The nursery session pattern runs Monday to Friday, with mornings from 9:30am to 12:30pm, afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm and full days from 9:30am to 3:30pm.
Children wear a logo polo shirt and sweatshirt with parents’ choice of bottoms, indoor trainers and wellies ready each day. Entry and collection use the front nursery entrance, with families queuing beside the black fence. Enquiries go to the office at office@wantageprimaryacademy.org or 01235 634980; a nursery application route is also available. Contact the school for current charges.
Children aged two to four can attend. Two-year-old places require a funded code, are offered for autumn entry and prioritise children turning three before 31 December.
Part-time places provide 15 hours weekly through morning or afternoon attendance. Full-time places provide 30 hours, across 38 weeks each year. Age and eligibility affect the pattern offered.
Carpet learning leads into group activities and free-flow exploration. Children practise early maths, mark making and listening skills, share stories and use the nursery Outdoor Classroom daily.
Nursery Lunch Club is a charged provision for 30-hour children. Tax-free childcare and participating voucher schemes can be used for payment. Contact the school for current charges.
No. A separate application through Oxfordshire County Council is required. Stay-and-play sessions support preparation for Reception but do not secure a place.
