St Peter's Cassington Nursery Review

Bird feeders, bug homes and a wildflower garden give Apple Tree Class a clear thread: learning about living things through practical activity. The nursery belongs to St Peter's Church of England Primary School in Cassington, where children can start from age three. Apple Tree brings Nursery and Reception together in one class, placing the nursery within the school's early years provision.

Christian values shape the school's stated ethos, alongside an aim to recognise children as individuals. For parents, the distinctive combination is a shared early years class and learning that connects stories, animals and the natural world.

Apple Tree follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Its topics connect learning through books, discussion and practical exploration: children investigate a subject rather than encounter it only as a story or a set of facts.

Recent topics have included Under the sea, Once upon a time and Old MacDonald had a farm. The sea topic proposed factual books to investigate how sea creatures breathe and move, alongside a planned Science Oxford visit with water lab exploration. Traditional tales prompted discussion of story structure, with possible gingerbread making and porridge tasting, plus a planned visit to The Story Museum. Farm learning included animal families, caring for eggs expected to hatch into ducklings, and exploring what plants need to grow. These are class plans, rather than a promise of identical activities for each nursery child.

Outdoor work adds something tangible. Apple Tree children have made bird feeders, used dead wood to build homes for bugs and created a hedgehog shelter. They have also planted seeds at Forest School, tended their growth and made a protective fence around a wildflower garden intended to attract butterflies and bees. Caring for plants and animals gives children practical reasons to observe changes and ask questions.

At the November 2022 inspection, early years experiences were found to develop children's knowledge and skills, with staff supporting speech and language effectively. Feedback also helped children consolidate their learning. These findings concern early years across the school, rather than a separate nursery judgement.

For additional needs, parents can contact the school's SENDCo through the office email, using FAO: SENDCo as the subject. This gives families a direct route to discuss support with the relevant role.

Learning about care also appears in Apple Tree's environmental work: children tend seedlings and make shelters for wildlife. Responsibility has concrete tasks attached to it.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet its deadline. Sharing Apple Tree Class with Reception is a classroom arrangement; it should not be treated as an admission entitlement.

The school is on The Green in Cassington, postcode OX29 4DN. Nursery enquiries go through the school office: telephone 01865 880443 or email office.3651@st-peters.oxon.sch.uk. The same email provides the contact route for the SENDCo, so families can raise support questions alongside their initial enquiry.