Highfield Nursery School: play, language and outdoor learning

Mud play, woodland exploration and a class for children with complex needs give Highfield its character. This maintained nursery school on Wright Street in Chorley has four groups: Seekers for nine months to two years, Explorers for two to three, Adventurers for three to four, and Discoverers for children aged two to five with complex needs. The groups give children different starting points for their nursery experience.

At the March 2025 inspection, children developed considerable independence and confidence, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Everyday achievements mattered: managing boots and coats, and washing hands after using the toilet. These are practical foundations for the next stage of childhood.

Play leads the learning. Highfield uses in-the-moment planning: adults respond to a child's interests during play and help extend an idea rather than relying solely on a prearranged activity. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together communication, physical skills and emotional development with early reading, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Here, that means learning through things children can explore and do.

For Explorers, indoor and outdoor areas remain accessible for sensory and active play. Adventurers combine activities initiated by children with adult teaching, using games, songs and stories for early number and literacy work. Red Rose Phonics is the nursery's phonics scheme. Indoors, the Home Corner, construction resources and Reading Area offer different ways to imagine, build and talk; a sensory room and library space add further settings for learning.

Outside, children have a mud kitchen, water play and a mud slide. The outdoor area is used throughout the year, whatever the weather. Weekly Forest School/fun sessions take place in a designated area on site, with den building, seed planting, bug hunting and tree climbing among the activities. Outdoor learning has a regular place in the week.

Communication receives close attention. In March 2025, staff used signing, symbols and pictures when children needed additional ways to understand and express themselves. Teaching followed developmental steps, with checks on understanding allowing adults to adjust their approach.

Each child has a family worker who follows their interests and works with their family. Seekers have key person relationships alongside songs, rhymes, sensory experiences and opportunities to crawl and climb. That combines a familiar adult relationship with space for early movement and communication.

Discoverers have individual learning plans covering sensory needs, communication, emotional development and physical skills. Enhanced staffing ratios, visual aids and access to interventions support that work. WellComm assesses language development in two- to three-year-olds; Early Talk Boost supports three- to four-year-olds needing additional language help, with books taken home to involve families.

The team includes qualified teachers, early years practitioners and a Forest School leader. All staff have paediatric first aid and safeguarding qualifications, with training refreshed regularly. Safeguarding was effective in March 2025. A family support worker also helps with practical difficulties, including food parcels and contact with other agencies.

Breakfast Club provides breakfast and play, followed by a handover to key workers. After School Club includes snacks and drinks alongside activities such as crafts and baking.

Attending nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline.

Highfield works with local primary schools, including Highfield Primary School and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School. Preparation includes self-care and growing independence. These learning relationships are separate from the allocation of school places.

Highfield operates during term time. Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, and afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Breakfast Club runs from 8am to 9am; After School Club runs from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Wraparound provision covers ages two to eleven. Breakfast Club is available to Highfield Nursery School pupils; After School Club is available to children attending Highfield Nursery School or Highfield Primary School.

The universal entitlement provides 15 funded hours weekly over 38 weeks from the term after a child's third birthday. Flexible arrangements are offered alongside the traditional five-morning or five-afternoon pattern. Eligibility determines access to additional funded hours. Charges are billed half-termly, with no registration fee or upfront payment required; contact the nursery for current charges.

Uniform is optional, and clothes suitable for messy play are recommended. A car park supports drop-off. To arrange a guided tour, call 01257 262556; applications for two-, three- and four-year-olds can be emailed to bursar@highfield-nur.lancs.sch.uk.