Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

A woodland circle, marshmallow toasting and a snug for two-year-olds give Holy Trinity’s early years provision its own character. Little Bears caters for children aged two, with up to 10 places offering 30 hours. Children move into Nursery in the term following their third birthday. The teacher-led Nursery plans to admit up to 30 children each September.

Both sit within the school’s Early Years Unit. Little Bears has changing facilities and toilets sized for young children, alongside its snug. These are practical features for children taking their first steps into group care, including those still developing their toileting independence.

Play and discovery shape the curriculum. Children’s interests and existing knowledge help determine their learning, and they can choose activities themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage connects physical development, communication and personal development with early literacy, maths, creative expression and understanding the world. Here, that means learning through exploring and making, alongside adult support.

Outdoor provision gives children plenty to work with: scooters, bikes and sports equipment, plus materials for devising obstacles and physical challenges. A firepit and woodland circle provide a setting for songs and marshmallow toasting. Little Bears also uses a garden, woodland and hard-surfaced outdoor area, with cooking, gardening and construction among its activities. There is room for different kinds of play.

Books have a daily place. Enchanted Hour is the daily story session across classes, while early years children take library books home each week for bedtime reading. For Little Bears and Nursery, stories, songs and rhymes introduce listening and engagement with books, giving families a concrete way to continue that learning at home.

In November 2023, Ofsted found that early years children began phonics promptly and used sounds confidently. A school-wide concern about some pupils beginning to read was that their books did not reliably match the sounds they knew, slowing the development of fluent reading. That finding should not be read as a separate nursery judgement.

Teachers and teaching assistants staff Little Bears; Nursery has a teacher leading its provision. Daily conversations at collection and drop-off sit alongside Seesaw, the online learning journal through which parents and staff can exchange messages. Termly consultations and a Nursery newsletter each half term add scheduled opportunities to discuss progress.

Children can bring a packed lunch or have a school meal, and milk is free each day. The school cooks lunches on site. Parents can select meals ahead of time and check recipes, which makes the food choice more concrete than simply choosing between hot lunch and a lunchbox.

The Nursery team helps identify special educational needs early. First Concerns, Pupil Passports and SEND Support Plans organise a graduated response, with parents involved from the beginning and targets reviewed together. Specialist agencies may contribute advice. This gives support a process that families can participate in, rather than leaving concerns until the move into school.

Shared indoor and outdoor areas with Reception allow nursery children to become familiar with the environment and staff before the change of class. Northumberland Early Years’ School Readiness Passport tracks development towards school, and children receive a short report when they finish Nursery. Familiarity supports transition; it does not determine admission.

Separate application. Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor confers priority under the 2026–2027 arrangements. For the September 2026 intake, families had to complete their home local authority’s common application form even when attending the Early Years Unit, returning it no later than mid-January. Families must apply again through the normal Reception process rather than treating Nursery enrolment as a reservation.

Universal provision for three-year-olds runs Monday to Friday, 8.45am–11.45am, for 15 hours. Eligible families can use the extended 30-hour provision, Monday to Friday, 8.45am–3.15pm. Families without 30-hour funding can purchase afternoon sessions; funded afternoons may be possible for children receiving Early Years Pupil Premium funding. Contact the office for current charges, including school meals.

Breakfast care begins at 8am with nursery staff. Rascals provides after-school care until 6pm for children aged 3–11, including collection from Nursery once children have started at the school. Spaces are limited: book with Rascals and also inform the school.

Nursery clothing includes a light-blue polo, burgundy jumper or cardigan and tracksuit bottoms, with black Velcro school shoes. Wellington boots, waterproof trousers or a suit, and a daily waterproof coat support outdoor play. Enquiries and visit appointments go through 01289 306142 or admin@holytrinity.northumberland.sch.uk.