Little Elvers Nursery at Isle of Ely Primary School

Children’s interests help shape the learning at Little Elvers, with play indoors and outdoors alongside the Primary Knowledge Curriculum. That combination gives the nursery its character: children’s own enthusiasms have a place, while planned learning adds another layer.

Little Elvers is Isle of Ely Primary School’s nursery, on School Road in Ely. Its team includes a class teacher and learning support assistants, placing teaching and classroom support together within the provision.

Play provides the starting point. Children learn in both indoor and outdoor environments, and staff follow their interests to guide activities. The Primary Knowledge Curriculum supplements that approach, so learning includes both what catches children’s attention and content selected by adults.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the framework for learning, development and care. Geography makes that concrete: early-years children encounter maps through stories and play, practise words for position and direction, and discuss weather and seasonal differences. These are ways to connect language with the world children experience.

Religious education also follows the Primary Knowledge Curriculum in early years. Children explore cultural and religious celebrations, people and places that matter to others, connecting these with their own experiences. Familiar experiences become a starting point for understanding difference.

In March 2023, Ofsted found that nursery children understood number well. Carefully planned activities gave them repeated opportunities to count and recognise numerals, building foundations for their next stage of learning.

Learning how to manage feelings and behaviour is part of the school’s approach from nursery onwards. Therapeutic Thinking focuses on understanding what behaviour communicates and adapting support accordingly. Routines and expectations are taught and practised, rather than simply expected.

For families concerned about development or wellbeing, the first conversation is with the class teacher. The school’s SEND arrangements involve parents in planning support, with the SEND coordinator overseeing provision. That gives families a route from an initial concern to a discussion about next steps.

EduKey records and reviews support across the school. SENDK plans are updated each half term; school support also includes a Sensory Room, Attention Autism and visual timetables. These are school-wide resources and approaches, with provision adapted to individual needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions route and meet the deadline for their entry year. Learning preparation and admission are separate matters.

For the September 2026 intake, Reception applications went through Cambridgeshire County Council on behalf of the Active Learning Trust. The council communicated application outcomes to families. That was a separate process from joining Little Elvers.

Funded places are offered at Little Elvers. Nursery enquiries go directly to the school by email at admin@isleofelyprimary.org or telephone on 01353 612818. The address is School Road, Ely, CB6 2FG.