Blackpool Gateway Academy Nursery Review

Direct access to a secure outdoor learning area gives this 26-place nursery a practical starting point for exploration. Blackpool Gateway Academy takes children aged three to four, with its nursery forming part of the school's early years provision. Morning, afternoon and full-day options let families choose between shorter sessions and a school-length day.

An EYFS teacher works directly with the children, alongside early years staff whose qualifications are at least Level 3. The nursery uses Development Matters to follow children's progress. Its character comes from the Curiosity Approach: natural materials and objects from everyday life give children things to investigate, discuss and turn into play.

Exploration shapes the learning here. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven connected areas of development. Language, movement and learning to manage feelings and relationships sit alongside early literacy, number work, creativity and understanding the world. In parent terms, conversation and play are part of learning, rather than a break from it.

Planning combines activities guided by adults with discoveries led by children. Staff use questions to extend children's thinking and build on their interests. Indoors and outside, creative areas remain accessible, so children can return to materials and develop an idea over time. Construction offers another route into discovery: boxes and blocks, treasure baskets, scissors and joining materials give children opportunities to explore how things fit together.

Maths uses objects children can handle. Sorting, measuring, counting and finding patterns sit alongside daily focused teaching, drawing on NCETM resources. Singing, movement and simple instruments introduce rhythm and listening through early years music activities. These are concrete ways to practise number, coordination and attention within play.

Language is a deliberate priority. WellComm and the Neli programme support the early years focus on vocabulary and communication. Nursery children begin Read Write Inc. when appropriate, with initial sounds introduced in five-minute lessons and spoken sounds combined into words. That qualification matters: the first steps are introduced according to readiness, rather than presented as a fixed expectation for every child.

Class Dojo connects early years learning with home by sharing children's digital achievements. Across the school, the approach to behaviour includes emotional coaching and access to an adult who can respond to children's feelings. Predictable routines and visual timetables are part of that approach, giving children cues about what happens next.

A SENDCo and SEND Manager form the school's SEND team. Support includes interventions for identified children and individual education plans used in daily teaching preparation. The school also has an accessible main entrance, a lift and accessible toilets on both levels, practical features for families with mobility needs.

For catering enquiries, families can contact the school. Its interactive menus include nutritional and allergen information, giving parents a way to check ingredients.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery and Reception admissions are separate: families need to apply again through the normal Reception application process and meet its deadline. Choosing these nursery sessions should therefore be a decision about the early years experience itself, with the Reception application treated as a separate step.

Provision runs during term time. Morning sessions are 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoons run from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Full days cover 8:45am to 3:15pm. Extended sessions run from 7:45am to 8:45am and from 3:15pm to 5:30pm, with limited places. That availability constraint matters for families relying on care beyond core hours.

Bookings have a minimum length of three hours, and the nursery recommends at least three separate sessions each week. Additional hours beyond free entitlement carry charges; the top-up option is subject to terms and conditions. Contact the school for current charges.

To enquire or arrange a look round, call 01253 402936. Families can also submit a request for a nursery place. Clothing and possessions should be labelled, and children in Early Years must not wear earrings.