Christ Church CofE Primary School Padgate Nursery Review

Stories, number games and play chosen around children’s interests give this nursery its character. Christ Church CofE Primary School Padgate’s own nursery combines a Christian ethos with practical exploration, both outside and indoors. Books receive deliberate attention; maths mixes guided activities with games, giving children different ways to approach early learning.

The school-run class accepts children from the term after their third birthday, depending on space. It sits on the school site, alongside Wasps Link Club Nurseries, which provides the additional hours rather than the school nursery itself. That distinction matters when planning a longer day. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good following its inspection on 20 and 21 September 2023; this covers early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery judgement.

Play provides the starting point, with short teaching episodes introducing skills that children can then try for themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, physical skills and emotional development with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. In parent terms, learning includes how children communicate and cooperate as well as what they know.

Children choose from activities and challenges, while adults use observations and guided tasks to shape subsequent planning. Structured activities sit alongside play led by the children, indoors and outside. The early years outdoor provision includes fixed equipment for physical development. Real PE begins in Nursery, with balance, coordination and agility among its focuses, so movement has a planned place in learning.

Number of the Week gives nursery maths a recurring focus. Selected children move to White Rose Maths during the summer term. Phonics begins at Phase 1, with Phase 2 introduced in summer for identified children, rather than as a single timetable for everyone. Daily story opportunities give listening and vocabulary their own space. In September 2023, familiar rhymes and stories successfully drew nursery children into reading: books were an engaging introduction to literacy.

Settling starts with a visit involving the child and parents, where the team discusses interests, additional needs and medical or dietary requirements. A June induction meeting and summer stay-and-play opportunities introduce the setting before the start. Entry is staggered across the first two weeks, allowing children to begin in smaller groups and get to know staff gradually.

By September 2023, early years children were becoming comfortable with routines promptly and learning to share turns and work together. Those are useful foundations for taking part in a group. The nursery is staffed by the school, while its wider SEND process uses observation, assessment and discussion with parents to identify support. Depending on the child, additional provision may involve therapy, an intervention or individual support.

EvidenceMe learning journals let parents contribute knowledge of their child alongside emails and brief conversations. Autumn parents’ evenings discuss settling; spring meetings address learning and development. For longer or urgent conversations, the school office passes messages to teachers and arranges appointments by telephone or email.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and securing a school place as separate decisions.

Transition support has a different purpose. Once the Reception admissions list arrives, teachers contact children’s nursery settings to discuss development, interests and care needs, and request end-of-nursery assessments. June induction meetings and summer stay-and-play visits help children become familiar with the next setting. These preparations support the move; they do not secure admission.

The school nursery’s universal entitlement is 15 hours each week, arranged as five morning sessions during term time. Each runs from 8.30am to 11.30am. An additional 15 hours may be provided by Wasps Link Club Nurseries on the same site, subject to availability. The longer arrangement therefore involves another provider.

To arrange a school nursery visit, telephone the school office on 01925 492422. For Wasps availability, contact its team on 01925 813573 or 07584 513944. Keeping those enquiries separate helps families arrange the school session and any additional care with the appropriate team.