Oliver's Battery Primary and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Story sacks, clay models and Forest School give Hedgehogs its character. This nursery class for children aged 2-4 belongs to Oliver's Battery Primary and Nursery School in Winchester. Its classroom sits inside the main school building, bringing nursery life into the school rather than placing it on a separate site.

Children have an early years outdoor play area and toilets sized for them, with access to the wider grounds too. Two Forest Schools, an Edible Playground and two ponds make those grounds a substantial part of the setting's identity. For a child who likes making and exploring, outdoor learning is a recurring thread through the curriculum.

Discovery time takes up a substantial part of the day. Children choose their play and use indoor and outdoor spaces, while adults join in to develop their ideas. Daily small-group activities and whole-group gatherings add a different rhythm. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, move and manage relationships with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world.

Inside, calm corners give children space for conversation. Story sacks supply props for retelling familiar tales and inventing new ones; a home corner provides costumes and familiar household items for pretend play. Outdoors, children explore natural materials and use sticks and clay for models. Forest School routines introduce the fire circle, boundaries and safety rules, giving exploration a clear framework.

In the final nursery year, short daily Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics sessions concentrate on listening, sounds and oral blending. Letters are not taught at this stage. Number Sense develops children's understanding of quantities, comparisons and number order, linking early maths to practical use. During the inspection on 14 and 15 January 2025, Ofsted identified nursery rhymes and counting songs as the starting point for the school's English and mathematics work.

Each child has a key person who gets to know the family and plans for individual learning needs. Settling begins with an hour alongside a parent, followed by another hour with the key person and other staff. An individual settling programme can follow where needed. That gives the child a familiar adult to return to as confidence grows.

Tapestry shares learning with parents, with new entries expected most weeks rather than a record of every activity. OP&L, developed by the Barnet Early Years Alliance, uses six-monthly developmental milestones. An initial Starting Points assessment helps identify children needing additional support. The nursery team includes a SENDCo, and the age-two progress check brings together the key person's observations, parents' knowledge and contributions from other professionals involved with the child.

A morning snack is provided. Children staying for lunch can bring food from home or have a charged hot school meal; nuts and nut products are excluded. Parents supply nappies and wipes when needed. In January 2025, children were learning routines from the start of nursery that supported behaviour and attention to learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Hampshire County Council school admissions route and meet its deadline. Treat that application as a separate decision from booking nursery sessions.

For children who subsequently join Reception here, Tapestry can continue their learning record. This provides continuity in how development is shared with parents; it does not secure admission.

The nursery opens for 38 weeks each year. Morning runs from 8:45am to 11:45am, Morning with lunch finishes at 12:45pm, and All Day ends at 3:15pm. The minimum booking is two sessions weekly, either one full day or two mornings; four sessions are recommended.

All three- and four-year-olds can use 15 government-funded hours without an eligibility code for that universal entitlement. Other funded routes depend on eligibility. Where a code is required, apply by the end of the month before the term starts, supply a valid code at settling sessions and return the funding form in time. The nursery requires a new code before each term; missed deadlines can mean paying for the place. Contact the school for current session and meal charges.

Dress for paint, mud and clay, with spare clothes, sturdy footwear and named wellies to leave at nursery. Tours can be booked through nurseryteam@oliversb.com, and a Nursery Enquiry Form provides another enquiry route.