Thursby Primary School Nursery

A shared early years class and a newly opened outdoor learning area give Thursby’s nursery its character. Three and four year olds join Class 1, where nursery children learn alongside Reception children rather than in a separate nursery unit. The provision sits within Thursby Primary School in Thursby, Carlisle. Its daily rhythm follows the school, with childcare offered during term time.

Play and adult-guided activities work together here. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together children’s learning and care: developing conversation, friendships and physical skills alongside early reading, writing, number work, creativity and discovering the world. Activities are planned around children’s next learning steps, giving purposeful teaching a place alongside exploration.

Language has several routes into the day. In early years, storytelling and talk during play support communication. White Rose planning shapes early years maths, including a five-minute maths activity. The school uses Little Wandle for phonics, while Class 1 sends supporting phonics sheets home on Thursdays. These give families a concrete link with classroom learning.

Books also have their own routine. Class 1 visits the library on Friday afternoons, and every class has daily story time. Children can enjoy stories read aloud as well as choose books to share at home. PE takes place on Wednesdays and Fridays, adding scheduled physical activity to the learning week.

Outside, the new EYFS area is open for imaginative activity, movement and discovery. Children also learn indoors, so exploration takes place across both environments. At the December 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that early years children developed communication and number skills successfully, and that outdoor exploration helped them become more independent. That gives the play-based approach a dated basis beyond the curriculum description.

Children starting early years settled promptly into school routines at the December 2022 inspection. Relationships with parents form part of the EYFS approach, and families have a direct Class 1 email address, class1@thursby.cumbria.sch.uk, for contact with the teaching team.

Food involves a practical choice: bring lunch from home or buy a Dolce meal. School dinners are ordered through Schoolgrid. Fruit is provided for children in Class 1, with milk for those under five; families supply a filled water bottle each day. Meal payments go directly to Dolce, keeping ordering and payment arrangements clear.

For children with SEND, the school’s approach includes identifying needs early, individual learning plans and working with families and external professionals. The Snug is a named space supporting additional SEND needs, and accessibility work includes early years. Families can contact the SEND coordinator at sendco@thursby.cumbria.sch.uk to discuss support.

Sharing Class 1 makes Reception part of nursery children’s everyday surroundings. It does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year. Treat the shared classroom as continuity in the learning environment, rather than assurance of admission.

Funded childcare is offered between 8.50am and 3.20pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Eligible families of three and four year olds can receive up to 30 funded hours. Hours beyond a child’s funding are charged, and purchased lunches are an additional cost; contact the school for current charges.

The office supplies nursery application forms and books personalised school tours. Call 01228 711180 or email admin@thursby.cumbria.sch.uk. For Class 1’s Wednesday and Friday PE days, children wear their PE kit to school. Long hair should be secured, and jewellery removed; new stud piercings may be taped.