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Nursery at The Pines Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Three funded session patterns give Pine Cones its practical character: a morning, an afternoon or a day spanning both. This is The Pines Primary School’s own pre-school in Red Lodge, accepting children from age 3, with room for 32 children per session. Attendance starts at a minimum of three sessions each week, so families need a regular pattern rather than occasional bookings.
Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 13 and 14 December 2022. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision; it is not a separate nursery inspection.
The Early Years Foundation Stage combines learning through play with activities guided by adults. Children explore inside and outdoors, with opportunities to make choices as well as join structured activities. Its learning areas bring together movement, relationships and communication with early literacy, maths, creative work and discovering how the world works. The emphasis is on learning through doing.
Rhymes and familiar stories give early reading a concrete shape. Foundation Stage children retell tales through drama and actions, recite rhymes and join in phrases they recognise. Those activities give children ways to practise language together before reading becomes an independent task. Rocket Phonics is the named early-years phonics programme, with practice in joining sounds into words and separating words into sounds.
Pine Cones also takes part in some shared school experiences. In May 2026, a birds-of-prey visit included the pre-school children. This was a particular event, rather than a promise about the weekly timetable.
Tapestry gives nursery families an individual online learning journal containing photographs and observations. Parents can contribute their own pictures, comments and examples of learning at home. Communication can therefore run both ways, connecting what a child does in nursery with interests their family sees elsewhere.
For children with SEND, support includes a one-page profile and an individual plan. Families agree learning targets with the teacher, and reviews take place each term with the teacher and SENDCo. This gives parents a defined role in adjusting support as their child’s needs change.
The school building has step-free routes, accessible toilets and a lift. These physical arrangements matter for families managing mobility or personal-care needs. Safeguarding responsibility spans the school and pre-school, with a designated lead and alternate leads.
Pine Cones had garden visits on 3 and 4 September 2026 before returning on 7 September, giving the start of that autumn term a staged shape.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no special admission priority. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority. For Suffolk residents, the route is Suffolk County Council’s admissions service; for 2027/2028 entry, applications close at midnight on 15 January.
Transition support is a separate matter. Where individual needs call for it, children and parents may have extra meetings with the new teacher, classroom visits to locate toilets and coat pegs, or photographs assembled into a transition booklet. Familiarity can help a child prepare, but it does not alter the admissions decision.
Funded term-time sessions run from 9am to noon, 9am to 3pm, or 1pm to 4pm. Opening hours are 8.30am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 3pm Friday, so the afternoon pattern needs to be considered alongside Friday’s earlier finish.
Children receive 15 funded hours from the term following their third birthday. Pine Cones also offers the 30-hour early education option and accepts Tax Free Childcare. Additional attendance is charged, with invoices issued ahead of each half-term. Ask the school for current charges.
Changing the number of sessions requires half a term’s notice. Children must attend at their booked times, and late collection attracts a charge. Enquiries go to the Pine Cones Manager on 01638 790132; the registration form is the route for expressing interest.
Children are accepted from age 3. There are 32 places in any one session, and children are expected to attend at least three sessions a week.
The term-time patterns are 9am to noon, 9am to 3pm and 1pm to 4pm. Friday opening ends at 3pm.
Nursery families use Tapestry to view their child’s observations and photographs and contribute comments and examples from home.
No. Attendance gives no special consideration for Reception admission. Parents must apply separately through their home local authority.
Depending on individual needs, transition arrangements may include additional teacher meetings, classroom visits and a booklet using photographs of people and places.
