Roseacre Primary Academy Nursery Review

Stories shared with adults, seeds to care for and materials to investigate give Roseacre’s nursery its character. This is the school’s own nursery on Stonycroft Avenue in Blackpool, with a nursery teacher and an early years practitioner within its team. Learning for three- and four-year-olds includes exploring how things work and developing their own ideas through making.

Practical exploration gives children something concrete to think and talk about. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning includes choosing materials, joining them together and investigating textures. Children can decide what to make and which materials suit their ideas, giving them opportunities to make choices rather than simply follow an adult’s example.

Seeds and growing plants bring the natural world into that learning. Children explore changes in materials and talk about forces they can feel. Sand, construction, water and small-world provision offer different starting points for investigation: building, testing and describing what happens. These are tangible ways to develop questions and vocabulary.

Books have a place alongside that practical activity. In May 2023, nursery children enjoyed sharing stories with staff. Early-years children also explored their local community through shopping and using the post office, and learnt about the work of police officers and firefighters. Familiar places and occupations give those conversations a connection to life beyond school. During that inspection, early-years children paid close attention and collaborated with one another.

Language development deserves attention here. For 2025–2026, the school identified significant numbers of children in nursery and other younger year groups whose language development was below age expectations, with this more prevalent among disadvantaged children. For families, that makes discussion of their child’s communication and learning needs especially relevant.

Meals are cooked by the school’s catering team. Nursery lunches include a main course, a drink and either dessert or fresh fruit; bread and the daily salad bar are optional additions. Dietary requirements and allergies can be accommodated. Parents must tell the school about allergies, and snacks or packed lunches must exclude nuts and products containing them.

Safeguarding concerns can be raised through an online form or by contacting the safeguarding team through the school office. The designated safeguarding lead also holds the SEND coordinator role, providing a contact for families discussing additional needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority when Reception places are allocated. Families must make a separate application through Blackpool Council, meeting the deadline for their child’s intake. Choosing the nursery therefore leaves a second application to complete: familiarity with the school does not replace the admissions process.

Uniform is compulsory for nursery children. Most items can be bought from supermarkets or chain stores, and donated uniform is available free for parents struggling to provide it. This gives families an alternative when obtaining the required clothing.

Nursery meals are charged separately; contact the school for current charges. Meal accounts can be topped up by card through Arbor, which also lets parents check the balance.

For enquiries, telephone 01253 319000 or email admin@roseacre.atctrust.org.uk. A contact form also reaches the administration team. Families can arrange a school viewing through the office, giving them an opportunity to discuss their child’s nursery start directly with staff.