Meadowside Community Primary and Nursery School Nursery Review

Froggy Forest, daily stories and music with movement give Meadowside’s nursery its character. This school nursery serves children aged two, three and four: Daisies is the group for two-year-olds, while Sunflowers caters for three- and four-year-olds. The age groups have distinct routines, with daily movement in Daisies and weekly PE in Sunflowers.

Language runs through the day. Stories, conversation and signs sit alongside physical play, giving children several ways to join in and express themselves.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, manage feelings and move confidently with early reading, number, creativity and exploration of the world. At Meadowside, those strands become concrete activities: counting children during the daily routine, using Numicon and tens frames, playing roles and sharing books. Learning happens through play as well as direct teaching.

Word Aware features regularly in the timetable, while Talk for Reading and Talk for writing help nursery children practise vocabulary and story language. Each class has daily storytime and its own reading area; nursery children can also borrow library books. Little Wandle is the phonics scheme, with nursery phonics taught daily. Music contributes to Phase 1 activities, so listening and joining in are part of the reading preparation.

Outdoors, all EYFS children have an opportunity each week to visit Froggy Forest. Outdoor learning areas also support observations of nature and change. Daisies children have music and movement daily; Sunflowers has a weekly Real PE lesson. Daily Dough disco and other fine motor activities exercise smaller movements. Coat pegs, trays, snacks and toileting provide everyday opportunities to practise independence.

At the April 2023 inspection, Ofsted noted enthusiastic participation in a shark story among the two-year-olds and early-years children exploring learning areas with friends. Those examples show both shared storytelling and exploration within the nursery experience.

Starting arrangements include planned visits at home and to nursery. Half-termly Stay and Play workshops let parents take part in learning, and ClassDojo keeps communication going between home and staff. Toilet-training support is available, with referrals for further help where needed. Supervised toothbrushing takes place across EYFS with parental consent.

Language needs receive an early check: every EYFS child has a WellComm assessment within four weeks of starting. Children working below the expected level for their age receive interventions. For additional needs, the school uses a Passport to Success to agree support with parents; sensory-room resources and visual timetables are among its support options. EYFS children with an EHCP have reviews twice yearly, giving families a recurring opportunity to discuss provision.

Meals are cooked in the school kitchen. Parents should update dietary information through the office whenever it changes, so the kitchen has the details it needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority’s normal admissions process, by the deadline for their child’s intake.

For the 2025-26 admissions cycle, attending the attached nursery for at least 15 hours weekly gave third-category oversubscription priority, after looked-after or previously looked-after children and siblings. This was priority when allocating oversubscribed places, not an automatic transfer. Check the arrangements applicable to your child’s entry year before relying on that condition.

Transition support is a separate matter. Within-school moves can include extra familiarisation sessions and photographic transition books where needed, helping children recognise new staff and spaces.

Both Daisies and Sunflowers run morning sessions from 8.40am to 11.40am and afternoon sessions from 12.20pm to 3.20pm. Children taking 30-hour funded places attend from 8.40am to 3.20pm, with the funded hours usable across the week. These are different attendance patterns to weigh against family routines.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01925 632705 or office@meadowside.tcat.uk.com. Nursery application forms are completed through the office. Admission for two-year-olds depends on local authority funding eligibility. School visits can be arranged by contacting the office.