Templars Academy Nursery Review

Little Bear and Big Bear give Templars Academy’s nursery two distinct age groups, with play and conversation shaping both. Little Bear caters for children aged 2–3; Big Bear serves those aged 3–4. There are 12 places for the younger group and 39 for the older children. This is the academy’s own nursery, on Cressing Road in Witham.

The age split has a practical purpose. Both classes combine activities guided by adults with play children choose themselves, while Big Bear adds daily maths and phonics teaching. Independence is an explicit nursery aim: children are encouraged to decide what they want to do inside and in the outdoor area.

Talking, listening and learning to play together are central to the day. Daily activities develop communication, attention and language, alongside carpet sessions involving the whole class. Staff introduce vocabulary each week, model speech and encourage children to use sentences and ask questions. These are concrete opportunities to practise expressing ideas and listening to other people.

Play moves between indoor provision and an outside area, with the learning spaces changing over time. Children have opportunities to explore through their own choices as well as activities adults lead. Games involving waiting and taking turns make sharing something to practise, rather than simply a rule to follow.

Little Wandle Foundations is the named nursery programme for the beginnings of reading. In Big Bear, daily phonics and maths activities sit alongside the emphasis on speech and language. The combination gives older nursery children regular teaching in early reading and number skills while retaining opportunities to learn through play.

For two-year-olds, the nursery favours attendance across at least five morning or afternoon sessions, or three full days. It says this helps children settle and gives staff more opportunity to get to know them. That preference matters when choosing a weekly pattern: regular contact is part of the nursery’s approach to settling.

In May 2024, Ofsted found that staff’s understanding of individual children and their families helped children make a positive start in early years. The emphasis was on matching provision to the child. For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), needs identified when joining are discussed with parents so support can be arranged; school teachers may also draw on outside professionals.

Lunch can come from home, or families can choose a charged school dinner. Consumables carry no additional charge. Parentmail handles school letters and messages by email and text, giving families a direct channel for routine information.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat that application as a separate decision from booking nursery sessions.

Nursery attendance is not among the school’s stated oversubscription priorities. These place looked-after and previously looked-after children first, followed by children with a sibling at the school, then those living within the priority admission area, before remaining applicants. Big Bear’s preparation for starting school is educational preparation; it does not secure an admissions advantage.

Both classes operate during term time, across five days each week. Families choose five mornings, running from 8:30am until 11:30am, or five afternoons, from noon until 3pm. Full days run from 9am to 3pm. Three-day patterns use Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; the four-day pattern uses Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. A five-day pattern covers Monday to Friday. Children attending full days can add an earlier start between 8:30am and 9am.

Big Bear accepts the 15-hour entitlement and extended 30-hour funding, with funded places beginning the term after a child turns three, subject to eligibility. Little Bear accepts eligible early education funding from the term after a child turns two, including 30 hours from September 2025. Parents manage funding termly; Little Bear requires termly reconfirmation. Five mornings or five afternoons fit the 15 funded hours. Paid sessions are also possible; contact the school for current charges.

To enquire, email nurserytem@inspiresmat.co.uk or complete the nursery register-of-interest form. School visits can be arranged through the office. Nursery clothing rules allow more flexibility, while retaining the school colours: burgundy or maroon, white, grey and black.