Callow End CofE Primary School Nursery Review

A mud kitchen, garden planting and a weekly Woodland School session give Saplings its outdoor character. This is Callow End CofE Primary School’s pre-school class, part of the school’s Early Years Unit and working alongside Reception. Children can join from two years and nine months, or during the term in which they turn three.

The core day runs during term time, with additional care available once children are three. That age condition matters for families planning a longer childcare day. In July 2023, Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good; this judgement covers early years within the school.

Exploration and adult-led learning share the day. Children choose activities, take part in group teaching and receive adult support as they play. For parents, this makes the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) tangible: learning involves conversation, movement and practical discovery, alongside focused teaching. A Book of the Week and topics that change each half-term help connect planned activities with children’s interests.

Daily phonics gives language and early reading a regular place in the routine. PE happens twice each week, while Woodland School provides a weekly opportunity to explore nature. These are distinct parts of the week, giving children repeated opportunities to practise physical skills as well as language.

Outside, the garden and outdoor learning area remain accessible whatever the weather. Children can experiment in the mud kitchen, plant seeds or build with loose materials. Those activities give small hands practical problems to solve, from combining materials to deciding how a construction will stand.

In July 2023, early years learning placed clear emphasis on vocabulary and language development. Woodland activities included digging, painting and climbing, with close adult supervision. Physical exploration had an educational purpose as well as being enjoyable.

A pre-school supervisor and teaching assistants make up the Saplings team, with one assistant also serving as a lunchtime supervisor. Early years also has a deputy safeguarding lead. These roles connect classroom support, lunchtime care and responsibility for children’s safety.

Saplings and Ash share a lunch-and-play period from 11:45am to 12:45pm, supervised by lunchtime and early years staff. Children may bring a packed lunch or have a hot meal supplied by Black Pepper Catering, with parents ordering hot meals online. This gives families a choice over the midday meal.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities, the school’s support model includes adapted classroom teaching, additional interventions and individually tailored help. Its Graduated Response involves parents and carers in reviewing support as understanding of a child’s needs develops. The practical emphasis is on revisiting provision rather than treating an initial decision as final.

Attending Saplings does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions route, via Worcestershire County Council. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.

Educational continuity is a different matter. Pre-school and Reception staff plan closely together; in July 2023, their shared work supported progression across the two age groups. The school aims to make the move familiar through adults, friendships and routines children already recognise. That preparation supports transition, but does not secure admission.

Core hours are 9:00am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday, across 38 term-time weeks each year. From age three, children can use onsite Empower Active care, with breakfast club starting at 7:45am and after-school care ending at 5:30pm.

Saplings accepts 15-hour and 30-hour funding, as well as non-funded hours; funding can be used for any sessions. Additional hours, non-funded places and wraparound care carry charges. Contact the school for current charges.

Register interest using the pre-school application form. Enquiries can go to preschool@callowend.dowmat.education or the school office on 01905 830337. Families can also request a visit through the enquiry form, after which the school makes contact to arrange it.