Bridlington Nursery School: learning through real tasks

Independent baking in the Children’s Kitchen gives Bridlington Nursery School a distinctive starting point: young children tackle real tasks, with independence built gradually into the experience. The nursery educates children aged 2 to 5 at Butts Close, Bridlington. This is a nursery school in its own right, with children moving on to primary or infant schools afterwards.

A two-storey building houses the provision, with disabled access and facilities. The emphasis is on learning through exploration and practical activity, rather than simply keeping children occupied. An art studio, sensory room and opportunities for outdoor learning give that approach concrete settings.

Four curriculum cornerstones organise the learning: Love of Language, Your Community, Executive Functioning and STEAM, which brings together science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sits within this approach. In parent terms, children develop communication, movement and social skills alongside early reading, mathematics, creativity and an understanding of their surroundings.

Projects grow from children’s interests and can run for hours, days or months. Small groups investigate ideas together, giving children opportunities to share their thinking and solve problems. Birth to 5 matters guides expectations about development; inspiration also comes from Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Steiner.

The Children’s Kitchen turns practical learning into baking that children gradually learn to manage independently. Elsewhere, an equipped art studio supports creative work, while Forest School and Beach School take learning outdoors with qualified practitioners. These are distinct experiences, rather than outdoor time being treated simply as a break from learning.

At the June 2023 inspection, language teaching used repeated encounters with vocabulary, listening games prepared children for phonics, and construction linked to Walking Through the Jungle introduced mathematical ideas about size and shape. Daily group activities included sharing and taking turns, with yoga helping children practise managing their behaviour. Learning had a practical purpose: words to communicate needs, sounds to recognise and equipment to compare.

Each group has a key teacher, giving families a clear connection to the teaching team. Qualified teachers work alongside early years practitioners; the majority of staff hold qualifications at level 3 or above. Tapestry provides a secure online learning journal containing photographs and videos, and parents can contribute observations from home. It gives families something specific to discuss with their child.

Support includes Roots, a group for parents of children with SEND, and access to the sensory room. In June 2023, children’s additional needs were recognised promptly, with sensory breaks and pastoral help used when needed. Vocabulary support included Makaton and soft-toy prompts. Safeguarding was judged effective, with staff training and procedures covering intimate care.

Snacks, milk and water are accessible throughout sessions. Children help themselves, eat alongside others and wash their dishes afterwards: care routines also become practice in independence. Lunch Club requires a packed lunch.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application for primary school through the normal admissions route and meet the relevant deadline. Keep that application separate from the nursery booking.

Children can remain at the nursery until they move to a primary or infant school. Preparation happens through everyday learning: listening games build awareness of sounds, group activities practise sharing, and practical tasks develop independence. These experiences prepare children for their next setting; they do not secure admission to it.

Term-time opening runs Monday to Friday, from 7:45am to 5pm. Core sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am and from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Breakfast Club starts at 7:45am, Lunch Club bridges the midday gap, and After School Club finishes at 5pm, by which time families must be offsite.

Booking commitment. A minimum of 4 sessions applies, and places involving 25+ hours each week receive priority, with fewer sessions considered exceptionally. Families should weigh that commitment against the pattern they need. Permanently cancelling sessions requires 4 weeks’ written notice.

All children aged 3 or 4 qualify for 15 funded hours; eligible two-year-olds can access 15 or 30 hours. Additional time is charged, and a voluntary School Fund operates. Ask the office for current charges. Privately paid places are restricted to children without Government funding, while children with funded places can buy top-up sessions.

Uniform is optional. A responsible adult should bring and collect children, and staff need advance notice of a different collector. For enquiries, call 01262 678485 or email bridlington.nursery@eastriding.gov.uk; nursery applications are completed and returned by email.