Swansfield Park Primary School Nursery Review

Number discoveries at snack time, singing woven into routines and vegetables growing in a garden give Apple Class its character. This is the nursery at Swansfield Park Primary School on The Avenue in Alnwick, with a nursery class teacher and learning organised around the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Apple sits alongside Cherry, the school’s pre-school class. The distinction matters when discussing which provision your child will join. We hold no published inspection grade for this nursery.

Practical learning gives the day its shape. In nursery, White Rose mathematics is organised into 24 blocks, combining activities guided by adults with learning opportunities children can use throughout a session. Number, measurement, shapes and spatial thinking are explored through practical experiences. Maths also turns up in everyday jobs: registering themselves, having fruit or snacks, and putting things away. Children therefore meet mathematical ideas beyond a single teaching activity.

The EYFS connects different kinds of learning. Exploring technology links to understanding the world, talking with others and personal development; designing and making connects creative work with handling tools and thinking about construction. These are opportunities to investigate and make things, rather than simply hear explanations.

Creative work has named approaches too. Access Art is used in early years, with drawing, sculpture and painting among the activities. Musical games, singing and investigating sounds form part of everyday routines. A separate PE session takes place each week across EYFS, alongside daily play that develops movement skills.

The garden brings seasonal change into learning. Planting and growing feature in Apple’s summer learning, giving children something real to observe over time. Early history starts closer to home: nursery children connect their families with families in stories, building language for relatives and the past. Familiar experiences become starting points for new ideas.

Food comes with practical choices. Meals are cooked fresh each day, with a daily vegetarian choice, salad and fresh fruit. Families can discuss dietary requirements with the school, which aims to accommodate them. For allergies, parents should notify the school and complete a Food Allergy Response Form so meal adjustments can be arranged.

Support for additional needs draws on the school’s SEND team. Provision covers sensory or physical needs, learning difficulties, communication needs and emotional or social needs. The school works with families and external agencies on personalised learning pathways, so discussions can focus on the support an individual child needs.

Medical care requires an agreed arrangement. Parents must make a written request for medication during school hours, and administration needs approval from the headteacher or their representative. For a child with asthma, an individual healthcare plan is required. The arrangements recognise that younger children may need adults to notice worsening symptoms and help them access treatment.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process with Northumberland County Council and meet the deadline for their application cycle. Treat choosing Apple Class and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Apple’s morning session finishes at 11.45am. The afternoon session begins at noon and ends at 3pm, making the midday changeover a useful point to consider when planning collection and other childcare.

For enquiries or to arrange a visit, contact the school office on 01665 602267 or email admin@swansfield.school. School uniform can be bought through Border Embroideries, and pre-loved items are available in the main reception. That provides another practical option when preparing for school routines.