Crosby-on-Eden CofE School Nursery Review

Sunflowers explored through art and model-making give a flavour of early learning at Crosby-on-Eden: children have something concrete to investigate, make and talk about. Nursery provision begins from age three and sits within Class 1, the school's combined Nursery and Reception class in Low Crosby, near Carlisle.

Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 25 and 26 June 2024. That judgement covers the early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The nursery-specific strength was its language-rich learning, giving children a secure beginning in reading.

The preschool morning runs from 8.45am to 11.45am. Indoor and outdoor learning both belong to Class 1's morning: at 10.40am, while the other classes have playtime, Class 1 continues using its learning spaces. Outdoor exploration is therefore part of the session's structure.

Play and exploration are central to the Class 1 team's stated approach, with Forest School sessions also part of its work. The Early Years Foundation Stage here combines books, creative activity and learning how to share. In June 2024, children demonstrated their understanding of sunflowers by building models, making prints and painting. Different materials gave them different ways to explain the same subject.

Class 1's two-year topic cycle includes What's special? and Would you rather? for 2026 to 2027. Planning is adjusted to the children as well as the topic, allowing the theme to connect learning rather than dictate every activity.

Concrete play spaces add texture. In February 2023, Class 1 children described making pretend pancakes in the outdoor mud kitchen, building Lego towers and playing together in the writing area. These are examples from the combined class, rather than promises of identical activities for every nursery child. Books have a clear place too: in June 2024, children encountered carefully chosen texts from the start of early years, with nursery language development supporting their first steps towards reading.

Relationships support the learning. In June 2024, staff formed warm, positive connections with early years children, who also learned to take turns and share. This links adult support with the everyday social skills needed for group play.

Additional needs are identified when children enter early years. In June 2024, detailed understanding of individual needs helped staff adjust their teaching. For a child with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), that means support begins with how they access the curriculum.

Parents can arrange conversations with the class teacher or headteacher and pass messages through the office. There are also two parent consultation evenings each year, giving families scheduled opportunities to discuss progress alongside individual appointments.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions route by the normal deadline.

The combined Nursery and Reception organisation is a feature of the child's learning setting. It should be considered separately from the allocation of a school place.

Gates open at 8.40am, ahead of the 8.45am preschool start; the session finishes at 11.45am. Those timings give families a clear morning collection point.

For nursery enquiries and to book a school visit, contact the school office on 01228 212080 or email admin@crosby-on-eden.cumbria.sch.uk. The school is in Low Crosby, Carlisle, CA6 4QN.