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Nursery at Caldew Lea 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
PJ Masks brings nursery children and older early-years classmates together in one mixed-age classroom. That shared space gives Caldew Lea’s nursery its distinctive shape: younger children have older peers alongside them as they play and learn. The school aims for these relationships to develop friendships and consideration for others.
Nursery provision sits within Caldew Lea School on Ashley Street in Carlisle, where the school’s age range starts at three. At the Ofsted inspection of 12 and 13 March 2024, early years provision was graded Good.
Play and learning shaped around individual children are the starting points in PJ Masks. Early literacy, number learning and everyday skills are the stated priorities. The mixed classroom matters here: children encounter peers at different stages of development, and the school sees older classmates as examples for younger children.
Language has a concrete place in the nursery’s activities. In March 2024, nursery children developed their vocabulary by hearing stories, singing and taking part in rhymes. Joining in matters as much as listening. These activities give children words to use and opportunities to practise expressing themselves.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) places spoken language across its learning areas. For parents, the nursery’s stories and songs are a tangible example of that emphasis: early learning includes developing the language children need to communicate and understand.
Settling received specific inspection recognition in March 2024: early-years staff helped children feel more assured and adjust quickly. That is a useful finding for families concerned about a child’s first experience of a classroom. PJ Masks has a class teacher supported by teaching assistants, giving the nursery a classroom team structure.
Class DoJo carries regular updates about activities children have taken part in. This gives parents a connection with the nursery day and material to talk about at home.
For children needing additional help, the school uses Academic Adventure Plans and an Assess, Plan, Do, Review process. Parents participate in identifying needs and reviewing support, with targets agreed each term. This makes family involvement part of the support process rather than an occasional conversation.
The school’s wider support includes its Engagement and Wellbeing Team and A to Z provision. A nurture room contains resources for exploring feelings and sensory needs. These are school-wide arrangements; they should not be read as a fixed package for every nursery child.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Cumberland Council’s Citizen Portal is one application route; email and postal applications are also accepted.
For the 2025–2026 admissions cycle, nursery attendance did confer an oversubscription priority. It came after the catchment and sibling categories and before the staff-child category and other outside-catchment applications. Within a category, proximity was the tie-breaker. Priority therefore meant a position in the allocation order, not a promised place.
Sharing the PJ Masks classroom with older early-years children is a separate educational arrangement. It gives nursery children contact with older peers, but it does not replace the Reception application or guarantee its outcome.
Contact the school office on 01228 526611 or email office@caldewlea.cumbria.sch.uk for enquiries. Personal tours can be arranged at a mutually suitable time, allowing families to see the school and discuss joining.
The school is at Ashley Street, Carlisle, CA2 7BE. Class DoJo provides the ongoing link with activities in PJ Masks once a child attends.
PJ Masks is a mixed-age early-years classroom containing nursery and Reception children.
In March 2024, children built vocabulary through stories, rhymes and songs, listening and joining in.
PJ Masks uses Class DoJo to share regular updates about children’s activities.
No. A separate application is required. Nursery attendance had an oversubscription priority in the 2025–2026 cycle, but this did not guarantee a place.
Yes. Contact the school to arrange a personal tour at a mutually suitable time.
