St John's Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Listening skills had a practical focus in March 2024: nursery children developed them on walks around the school grounds. Nursery provision at St John's Church of England Primary School in Weymouth starts from 2 years 3 months and includes three- and four-year-olds within the primary school on Coombe Avenue.

At the Ofsted inspection on 19 and 20 March 2024, early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Children became more self-reliant, sustained their attention and kept trying when activities challenged them. For parents, the strongest feature is the connection between learning and growing independence.

Early learning brings together conversation, movement, relationships and the beginnings of reading and number work. In March 2024, activities reflected children's interests and what they could already do. Adults helped them extend their vocabulary, develop their own ideas and work things out for themselves. Assessment informed the next steps, giving children support matched to their learning.

In March 2024, walks around the grounds helped nursery children practise listening. Nursery children picked up familiar routines promptly and began phonics early. These activities connect attentive listening with recognising and combining sounds, rather than treating reading as an isolated task.

The 2024-2025 nursery curriculum included pretend play, exploring musical instruments and investigating materials through touch and movement. Play dough, water and magnets provided opportunities to squeeze, stretch and explore. Access Art introduced colour exploration. These are concrete ways to connect language with things children can handle and change.

Physical learning included throwing beanbags and beginning to move on balance bikes with adult help. Alongside larger movements, children practised making marks and snipping paper. The emphasis was on building control through activity, with indoor and outdoor exploration both included.

Settling was a strength in March 2024: children adjusted to the setting and developed confidence. Adults understood individual needs and used that knowledge when planning learning. This matters for children who need different starting points or more support to join an activity.

The nursery team includes an early years leader with nursery SENDCO responsibility. For families raising questions about special educational needs and disabilities, the class teacher is the first contact. The school's support process brings parents into planning and reviewing provision; Success Plans are reviewed jointly three times a year. That gives families a continuing role in deciding what helps their child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Dorset County Council's School Admissions Team. Treat that application as a distinct step when planning your child's move into school.

Transition support has a different purpose: helping children and adults prepare. Children starting Reception at St John's receive a visit in their nursery setting, with discussion involving families, nursery staff, the class teacher and the early years leader. An enhanced transition can be arranged where necessary. This allows information about a child's needs to travel with them; it does not secure admission.

The nursery has a direct telephone number, 01305 785790. The school office can also be reached at office@stjohnswey.dsat.org.uk.

Breakfast Club serves toasted breads, fruit, cereals and drinks. After-school care includes light snacks adjusted for known allergies and dietary requirements. Collection is restricted to parents, carers or emergency contacts on the child's Arbor profile who are over 16, so keep those details current.

For children aged 3-11, term-time wraparound clubs provide additional care and do not run on INSET days. Breakfast Club operates from 8.00 to 8.30am. From 1 June 2026, the after-school finishing time changed to 5.00pm, with early collection between 3.15 and 4.30pm and full-session collection between 4.30 and 5.00pm.

Bookings use Arbor and require advance payment. After-school bookings must be completed at least four hours before the session. Nursery holiday dates can differ from the school's dates, a practical distinction for families arranging childcare.