Upperby Primary School Nursery Review

Butterflies and Ladybirds give Upperby’s nursery its defining shape: two classes that bring Nursery and Reception children together within the school’s Early Years Unit. For a family choosing nursery, that means a mixed-age class rather than a separate nursery class. Teachers and teaching assistants work across the unit.

At the inspection on 15 and 16 November 2022, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Making, building and imaginative play are concrete parts of the nursery curriculum. Children experiment with materials, make marks and explore construction, then consider what they have made. These activities give them ways to express ideas before writing becomes their main means of recording them.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach here includes learning through play and exploration. Children devise stories and role-play situations, working with other children as they develop their ideas. Birth to Five guidance informs assessment of their early years progress, which staff record using the school’s assessment system. The emphasis is on watching development through practical activity.

In November 2022, the early years curriculum connected learning to children’s existing understanding of their surroundings. Number activities included counting and exploring differences in size and quantity. Adults participated in imaginative play, but opportunities to develop language were sometimes missed. Language through play. The inspection required staff to make better use of play to expand vocabulary and stretch children’s thinking. For parents, adult conversation during child-led activity is an important point to discuss on a visit.

Settling attracted positive feedback from early years parents in November 2022. They described children adjusting well and staff being approachable and caring. That gives a dated picture of the relationship between families and the early years team, rather than a promise about any individual child’s start.

ClassDojo carries updates about activities and future events in the Early Years Unit. It gives parents a way to follow what children have been doing and keep track of unit information.

For children with additional needs, the school’s SEND arrangements include collaboration with parents and outside agencies. Specialist outreach teachers support children, families and staff. The SENCO can be contacted through the school office, giving parents a direct route to raise concerns about their child’s needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process: applications go online through Cumberland Council’s admissions portal, and the local authority coordinates school admissions.

Sharing Butterflies or Ladybirds with Reception children is part of the nursery’s classroom organisation. Keep that everyday contact separate from the application decision: being in the Early Years Unit does not secure the next place.

The EYFS playground gate opens at 8:35, with entry through the unit’s main doors. The unit’s collection arrangements distinguish the classes: Ladybirds uses the main unit door from 3:15pm, while Butterflies uses its classroom doors. These are unit access arrangements, rather than a nursery session timetable.

Families can contact the school to arrange a visit. For enquiries, call 01228 815460 or email schooloffice@upperbycdc.org.uk. The office provides a starting point for visiting the unit and discussing whether its mixed-class organisation suits your child.