Stanton Harcourt CofE Primary School Nursery

Rhyme Time, small-number games and handmade diya lamps give Bunnies its character: early learning through language, number and making. Bunnies is the nursery provision at Stanton Harcourt CofE Primary School in Stanton Harcourt, Witney, and caters for two-year-olds. It sits within a Church of England primary school, with a teacher assigned to Bunnies and Busy Bees.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework guides the curriculum, alongside Development Matters. For parents, the concrete examples show what this means in practice: children listen, talk, make things and explore numbers, with learning connected to familiar stories and celebrations.

In October 2025, Rhyme Time explored the /d/ sound through dog, alongside singing Five Little Ducks Went Swimming. Number activities included putting 1 to 3 in order. These are small, manageable steps: hearing a sound in a familiar word and understanding where a number belongs.

Later that month, Diwali brought books and conversation together with creative work. Children drew mehndi designs, devised rangoli patterns and made diya lamps. The celebration gave their drawing and making a shared subject to discuss.

In March 2025, early-years children, including two-year-olds, developed their interest in books and language through familiar stories. Nursery children recreated a farm inspired by their listening, turning a story into something they could represent themselves. Early-years mathematics included pairing matching numbers and recognising patterns, connecting number learning with practical activities.

Staffing includes an early years practitioner, while the assistant head also holds the SENCO role and is a deputy safeguarding lead. This gives families identifiable roles for discussing additional needs and safeguarding concerns. Anyone with a concern about a child can approach the designated safeguarding lead or a deputy.

The school welcomes children with disabilities or special educational needs. For children starting school who need additional support, extra visits may be arranged, with parents involved in preparing the arrangements. Discussing a child's needs forms part of that preparation.

Dolce supplies the school's hot lunches. This is the school meal arrangement, rather than an entitlement to a free nursery lunch.

A separate application. Attending Bunnies does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal school admissions process, administered by Oxfordshire County Council. Online applications, or paper forms, go to the School Admission Team or the first-preference school by the submission date in the autumn term before starting.

Preparation for school is a separate matter. Children are invited for visits during the term before entry, giving them time to become familiar with school routines and surroundings. Parent meetings during this period provide an opportunity to discuss concerns and the home-school partnership. These visits support the change of setting; they do not secure admission.

Bunnies has red uniform options in place of the school's royal blue sweatshirt or cardigan. Uniform Direct has a separate Pre-School Bunnies ordering route. Clothing should be labelled, and children need a water bottle and book bag.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01865 881948 or email office.3130@stantonharcourtschool.org.uk. Families use the playground gate to access the school grounds. Tell the school if collection arrangements change, including delays or a different adult collecting, so staff can respond to the change.