Lodge Farm Primary School Nursery Review

Forest School, cooking classes and the Early Talk Language Programme give Little Farmers a distinct identity within Lodge Farm Primary School. This is nursery provision for children aged two and three, with indoor play and outdoor exploration alongside support for families. The setting is on Furzebank Way in Willenhall.

Language and practical learning run through the provision. Early Talk gives communication a named focus, while cooking and Forest School bring learning into activities beyond the classroom. For parents, those are useful specifics about the experiences their child can have here.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes learning in Nursery and Little Farmers, with Development Matters guidance alongside it. In parent terms, the curriculum covers learning to communicate, managing feelings and relationships, and developing physical skills. It also includes mathematics, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. The school aims to build children's curiosity, confidence, creativity and independence.

Continuous provision means children return to opportunities to practise and develop skills across the year. Adult guidance sits alongside that repeated exploration, including activities outdoors. The balance gives children opportunities to use skills themselves as well as take part in learning led by staff.

Outdoor learning has a specific setting: children can use the Forest during lessons to explore the natural world. Other outdoor areas contain resources for continuing their learning outside. Cooking classes add another practical experience, while the Early Talk Language Programme keeps communication in view.

Family Story Time brings parents and carers into the early-years classroom to listen to stories and share books with their child. It is a concrete way to join in with learning, rather than only hearing about it afterwards.

In February 2024, Ofsted found that early-years children were comfortable and content, with routines established promptly by adults. Learning experiences had a clear purpose, and children made good progress through a planned curriculum that developed language and encouraged exploration. These findings concern early years across the school.

An early-years team works alongside the school's Family Liaison service. Support extends to housing worries, bereavement and food-bank access, with referrals to speech and language services among the options. That gives families routes to help with circumstances that can affect a child's time at nursery.

For children with identified special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school's starting arrangements include a visit with the child to meet the SENCO and an induction meeting to discuss needs. A meeting involving other professionals may follow where they already support the child. Staff may also adjust the transition period to make settling easier. These are individual arrangements, rather than a single fixed settling pattern.

Parents can raise learning concerns with the class teacher first. The SENCO can then become involved where further advice is needed, and staff discuss the child's progress with families.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families need to make a separate Reception application through the local authority where they live, following the normal application process and deadline. Keep that application separate from arrangements for nursery attendance.

Funded places and paid places are offered. Breakfast Club starts at 7.45am for children in the three-year-old nursery, so that option has a specific age condition. Nursery and Little Farmers finish their school day at 15:30.

Uniform applies from the three-year-old nursery. It includes a royal-blue branded sweatshirt or cardigan, grey or black trousers or a skirt, and formal black leather shoes. Shirts or blouses and a school tie apply in autumn and spring; polo shirts without ties are permitted in summer. This makes clothing another practical part of preparing for nursery.

School and nursery tours can be booked by calling 01902 928900. General enquiries can also go to postbox@lodgefarmprimary.co.uk. A tour gives families an opportunity to see the spaces used for indoor and outdoor learning.