Little Puffin Nursery at Fleetwood Chaucer Community Primary School

Frozen dinosaurs, loose-part igloos and a weekly Makaton sign give Little Puffin Nursery a distinctive character: learning takes shape through things children can handle, investigate and discuss. This is Fleetwood Chaucer Community Primary School’s own nursery class, with a class teacher supported by teaching assistants qualified at level three. Children also use the main school’s library, sports hall, design and technology room and ICT suite, extending their experiences beyond the nursery classroom.

Early years provision was judged Good at the Ofsted inspection on 6 and 7 December 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play and activities led by adults both feature in the day, with resources available indoors and outside. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven connected areas of development. In parent terms, these include learning to communicate, move confidently and manage feelings, alongside early literacy, maths, creative expression and discovering how the world works. Playing and talking are central to the approach, so learning is broader than practising letters or numbers.

Stories provide starting points for practical exploration. During winter learning, children investigated ways to melt ice before applying their ideas to release frozen dinosaurs. Loose parts became an igloo, while construction materials were used to make sledges. Activities around The Big Freeze included designing jumpers and discussing teamwork. These examples connect listening to stories with making, testing and explaining ideas.

Outside, number work has included counting puddle jumps and taking steps on stilts. Bikes and playground markings provide opportunities to practise larger movements; the climbing frame brings balance into PE. Indoors, children have made numeral marks in glitter and constructed bridges after a child shared a photograph of one made at home. The nursery’s weekly Makaton signs add another way to communicate.

Independent Iguana gives independence a memorable focus, including trying to fasten a coat before asking for help. In December 2023, early years children were learning classroom expectations and cooperating with each other, with staff helping them understand routines.

The teacher and teaching assistants provide the nursery’s classroom team. Across early years, staff hold paediatric first-aid qualifications. Fruit snacks and drinking water throughout the day support everyday care, alongside time allocated for physical activity.

A full-time Inclusion Leader supports children with additional needs. The early years approach includes working with families and outside agencies to identify those needs early, giving parents a role in shaping support. For enquiries about special educational needs, the school’s telephone system has a dedicated option through to the SENDCO.

Support for learning also reaches home. Walk and Talk encourages conversation during ordinary outdoor activities, developing listening, attention and taking turns. Words for Life suggests sharing stories, crafts and play with young children, giving families practical activities they can use together.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the applicable deadline.

Little Puffin works alongside the Reception class to broaden children’s experiences and prepare them for starting school. That work supports familiarity and continuity; it should be considered separately from the application for a school place.

The nursery is part of the school on Chaucer Road in Fleetwood, FY7 6QN. General enquiries go through the school office on 01253 873795 or by email to admin@chaucer.lancs.sch.uk. Emails are forwarded to the relevant team member, and the Early Years lead handles nursery enquiries. For special educational needs enquiries, select option 4 when calling.