Newby Early Years

In January 2023, children wrote messages for a fairy garden at Newby Early Years, a memorable example of early writing within this school-site nursery. This Scarborough nursery combines a preschool setting within Newby and Scalby Primary School's grounds with outdoor play and practical preparation for the next stage of learning. It has capacity for 30 children; its early-years provision is aimed at ages three to five.

At its January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated Newby Early Years Outstanding and found excellent progress across the areas of learning, with confident conversation and independence among its strengths. That judgement belongs to that visit. The concrete examples are useful: children discussed healthy habits, played mathematical games and used writing to pursue their own interests.

The nursery opens during school terms, with a half-day booking option and additional care through Newby Fun Factory. The distinction matters for families planning attendance around work and school holidays.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care: children's play, conversations and practical activities help them build language, social understanding and early mathematical skills. In January 2023, adult-planned activities sat alongside experiences children chose themselves. Group time with their key children gave practitioners opportunities to introduce a challenge while keeping individual interests in view.

Dice games made number patterns something children could recognise and discuss. During Chinese New Year activities, children explored greetings in Chinese. These were examples of learning through shared experiences, rather than separate lessons imposed on the day.

In January 2023, conversation was woven into everyday activity. Practitioners followed children's comments with questions that invited an explanation, including discussions about drinking water, hygiene and teeth. For a parent, the useful detail is the exchange itself: children had opportunities to explain an idea, hear a further question and develop their answer.

Stories also offered material for discussion. Children distinguished factual books from fiction, recalled narratives and talked about friendship and kindness through their content. This connected early literacy with understanding other people, rather than treating books simply as a quiet-time activity.

Outdoor and Community Life

Outdoor clothing is part of the current nursery routine. Children can play outside in different weather, and families supply wellington boots, suitable coats and seasonal headwear. Spare clothing is encouraged too. These are practical preparations for a day that can include outdoor activity rather than just indoor play.

In January 2023, the woodland area provided opportunities to discuss safety, including precautions around ice. The fairy garden gave writing a purpose: children composed questions and messages, using a sound mat to support their efforts. The physical setting and the learning activity worked together.

Community experiences extended beyond the grounds at that visit. Children travelled by bus to the beach and made regular visits to older residents at a nearby facility, where bird-box making was one shared activity. These examples brought travel, creative work and contact with people of another generation into the nursery experience. The frequency of beach visits should not be read into that example.

Relationships and Communication

In January 2023, key-group activities formed part of the day, and children had close relationships with practitioners across the team. Family involvement had a practical shape: the lending library supplied books to take home, while shared activities gave children something to bring back into discussion. Firework pictures made with families, for example, became material for circle time.

That creates a useful connection between home and nursery. A child's contribution can begin with a family activity and continue through conversation with other children, rather than communication being limited to adults exchanging updates.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and praised the identification of possible learning delays and targeted support to address them. Staff training, reporting procedures and recruitment checks formed part of the safeguarding arrangements; specific mealtime procedures addressed allergy risks in the school hall.

Snacks include fruit and vegetables, and children may bring a packed lunch instead of having a school dinner. The nursery's packed-lunch policy asks families to exclude foods containing nuts or seeds because of allergies and intolerances.

School preparation also had a practical basis in January 2023. Staff worked with the school and considered the skills children would need next, including independence and confidence. This is transition work, with no admissions advantage implied.

Sessions and Attendance

Newby Early Years opens Monday to Friday, from 8.50am to 3pm, during school terms. A half-day Early Years option is offered. The opening window and that booking option are separate pieces of information: families can consider shorter attendance as well as the nursery's operating day.

For additional hours, Newby Fun Factory serves children attending the nursery. Its before-school provision runs from 7.45am to 8.50am, with children accepted for drop-off until 8.30am; after-school care runs from 3pm to 6pm. Staff guide children between the provision and their classrooms. Fun Factory also operates holiday care, separately from the term-time nursery.

The address is Newby and Scalby Primary School, The Green, Newby, Scarborough, YO12 5JA. Enquiries can be made through the contact form or by calling 01723 500511, and online registration is offered.

Funding and Paid Extras

In January 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for three- and four-year-olds. Paid half-day attendance is also offered, and families should obtain a current written quotation for their chosen arrangement through the nursery's fees page.

The school-site setting gives children a connection with Newby and Scalby Primary School, but nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families still make a separate application through the local authority admissions process.

• Term-time nursery and additional care. Early Years opens during school terms, while Fun Factory provides care outside the nursery day and in holidays. At a visit, discuss how a half-day nursery booking would fit with the additional care your family needs.
• Outdoor kit and uniform. Jade logo tops, a white polo shirt and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing form part of the nursery's clothing arrangements. Wellington boots and sun hats can be stored on site, which helps with the daily kit routine.
• Lunch and allergies. A packed lunch is an alternative to a school dinner, with a policy excluding nuts and seeds from food brought in. Allergy-affected families should confirm current mealtime practice, including how their child's needs are handled.

Newby Early Years suits families seeking term-time preschool provision, whether through a half-day arrangement or attendance combined with before- or after-school care. Its January 2023 Outstanding judgement gives a clear dated quality benchmark, while the examples behind it make the nursery recognisable: writing for the fairy garden, books shared with home and community visits involving older residents.

The school-site setting is another practical attraction for families preparing for Reception. The decision turns on how the term-time nursery, additional care and outdoor routine fit your child and household.