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Nursery at Armfield 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Books and sounds featured in Armfield Academy’s nursery at the February 2023 inspection, while early years children explored number skills through their own activity choices and work guided by adults. This is the nursery within the all-through academy in South Shore, Blackpool, with places offered to three-year-olds. The early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 7 and 8 February 2023.
Choice and adult guidance worked alongside each other at the February 2023 inspection. In February 2023, children in the early years had opportunities to revisit their learning through activities they selected themselves and through more directed work with staff. For parents, that means a balance between following a child’s interests and giving them help with a specific skill. Number work formed part of those supported sessions.
In February 2023, nursery children also encountered books and sounds, giving them experience of the materials and listening involved in early reading. These are foundations rather than a claim about reading attainment. The early years foundation stage (EYFS) provision was found to give children an effective environment for development in February 2023: opportunities to practise mattered alongside the introduction of learning. Children could return to skills through both independent choices and adult-supported activity.
SEND support can begin before a child starts nursery. The SENCO, teaching staff and families work together to identify needs, allowing parents’ concerns to enter the planning process early rather than waiting until a child has joined.
Assess, Plan, Do, Review is the academy’s cycle for organising additional support: staff assess a child’s needs, plan action, put it into practice and review its impact. Targeted support uses Learning Plans, reviewed with families at least termly. This gives parents a recurring opportunity to discuss whether the support suits their child and what should happen next.
Physical access across the academy includes ramps, lifts and accessible toilets. These are useful features for families considering mobility needs, alongside individually agreed adjustments to learning and support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the 2027/2028 admission arrangements. Families must make a separate Reception application through their home local authority using the Common Application Form. For entry in September 2027, the deadline is 15th January 2027. Blackpool residents can apply online through Blackpool school admissions or request a paper form.
Support with the change of setting is a separate matter. For children with SEND, staff discuss strengths and needs with nursery staff and can create individual transition plans. Extra visits and social stories are among the possible approaches, helping a child prepare for unfamiliar routines without changing their admission position.
The nursery offers 15 and 30 hours of free childcare places. Nursery applications go through the Academy Office: call 01253 207702 to request an application pack, or send an enquiry to admin@armfield.fcat.org.uk.
Nursery children use a dedicated Nursery gate, giving families a specific entrance to use. In the 2025/26 daily arrangements, nursery lunchtime began at 11:30 AM. That places lunch earlier than the main school’s lunchtime and gives a concrete point in the nursery day around which care and learning are organised.
Places are offered to three-year-olds.
At the February 2023 inspection, nursery children encountered books and sounds. Children in the early years practised number skills through activities they chose and work guided by adults.
No. Nursery attendance neither guarantees a place nor gives priority under the 2027/2028 arrangements. A separate application is required through the home local authority; the deadline for September 2027 entry is 15th January 2027.
Call the Academy Office on 01253 207702 for an application pack, or email admin@armfield.fcat.org.uk.
Yes. Identification of needs can begin before nursery entry, involving families, teaching staff and the SENCO. Targeted support is organised through Learning Plans and reviewed with families at least termly.
