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Nursery at Yarlside Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, child-chosen play and an outdoor classroom extension give Yarlside Academy’s nursery its character. This is the school’s own nursery class in Barrow-in-Furness, with 26 places in each morning and afternoon session. Children begin in the term following their third birthday; September, January and Easter entry depend on age and available spaces.
Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 5 and 6 November 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. For families, the useful detail is the combination of language development, play and support matched to children’s learning.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, managing feelings and relationships, and physical development. Alongside these foundations, children explore early mathematics and literacy, creative expression and the world around them. Staff assess development across these areas to track how understanding and skills are growing. The emphasis extends beyond preparation for reading: conversation, movement and getting along with others matter too.
Choice has a place in this structure. Foundation-stage children select play that adults help guide, giving them scope to pursue an interest with an adult’s support. In November 2024, early years children could accurately recount stories and nursery rhymes they had heard. Checks on learning also informed tailored help, supporting rapid progress for children in early years. These are concrete strengths in the foundations of learning.
The Foundation Stage Outdoor Learning Area extends the classrooms outside. Resources can be repositioned, so the space can change to support different learning. Children use it to put developing skills into practice across the EYFS areas. Outdoor exploration is therefore part of the learning environment, rather than simply a break from it.
A nursery teacher and a nursery senior teaching assistant form the named team structure. Before children start, the class teacher and teaching assistant make home/school visits. Early years home visits give parents a chance to explain additional needs, allowing staff to plan requirements before the child begins.
Summer-term induction introduces new children to their teacher and classmates, while a parent meeting provides time for questions. Together, these arrangements offer familiarity before the first session. Parents can also discuss concerns with the class teacher or the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO).
For children with special educational needs, Individual Education Plans are reviewed each term and shared with parents, including ideas for support at home. The school can draw on Speech and Language Therapy and Early Years Specialists; parental permission is required before an external referral. School meals are prepared in an on-site kitchen using fresh, local ingredients.
A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Yarlside Academy’s Reception class. Families must make a separate application through the normal school-place process, using the online form or its paper equivalent, SA1, by 15 January. Outcomes are communicated in April. Treat that application as a separate task even while your child attends nursery.
Transition arrangements serve a different purpose. New Reception children are invited into school during the summer term to meet their teacher and classmates, and children spend time in their new classroom in July. These experiences help make the next classroom familiar; they do not secure admission.
Morning nursery runs from 8.45am to 11.45am and afternoon nursery from 12.15pm to 3.15pm in the Monday-to-Thursday timetable. Nursery is exempt from the school’s earlier Friday finish, a useful distinction when planning collection.
Nursery application forms are collected from the main school office and returned to the school administrator. For enquiries, call 01229 840930 or email admin@yarlsideacademy.co.uk. School visits can be arranged by contacting the school, giving families an opportunity to see the provision before making their choice.
Children start in the term after their third birthday. Entry points are September, January and Easter, depending on age and spaces.
There are 26 places in the morning session and 26 in the afternoon session.
The Foundation Stage Outdoor Learning Area extends classroom learning outside, with movable resources supporting the EYFS learning areas.
The class teacher and teaching assistant make home/school visits. Summer-term induction lets new children meet their teacher and classmates, and parents have a meeting for questions.
No. A separate online or paper SA1 application is required by 15 January, with outcomes communicated in April.
