Arlecdon Primary School Nursery

In February 2023, weekly storytime connected Arlecdon's nursery with older pupils: Year 5 mystery readers shared favourite books with Nursery children. This is the school's own provision for children aged 2 to 4, with up to 20 nursery places from September 2026. Those sessions gave children opportunities to build relationships beyond their nursery group.

Stories and conversation give a concrete picture of the learning here. Nursery curriculum objectives include developing vocabulary, remembering longer stories and beginning to understand children's own family histories. These turn familiar experiences into starting points for learning: talking about family life gives children something personal to explain, while recalling a story asks them to listen and remember.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the nursery's curriculum context. In February 2023, early years teaching put a carefully planned curriculum into practice successfully, and children worked well alongside one another. Weekly story sessions involved Year 5 mystery readers sharing books with Nursery and Reception children. For nursery children, that combines listening to stories with contact with older pupils.

Outdoor learning is part of the school's stated curriculum approach. The school grounds provide the physical setting for that emphasis, with exploration and discovery among the school's aims.

Before joining, children can visit the school. For children with significant additional needs, enhanced preparation may include an integration plan, allowing the start to be organised around the individual child. The early years team includes teachers whose responsibilities also cover Key Stage One, supported within the school by a higher level teaching assistant.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) begins with discussion with the class teacher. Individual Education Plans can bring parents into setting and reviewing targets, with formal reviews each term. Specialist links include Speech and Language Therapy and an Early Years Specialist Advisory Teacher. These provide routes to advice when classroom support needs additional expertise.

Lunch can form part of the morning arrangement. Dietary and allergy information is gathered before children start, and drinking water is kept available. Collection is restricted to adults parents have identified to the school. The school occupies a Victorian building with wheelchair access, making individual access requirements a useful part of planning a child's start.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Cumberland Council, with the normal deadline described as mid-January.

For the 2026/2027 entry cycle, nursery attendance was the third Reception priority criterion, following the categories for children with a qualifying plan naming the school and children in care or previously in care. That gave attendance a place in the allocation order, rather than a guaranteed offer.

Preparation for a new class is a separate matter. Depending on individual needs, SEND transition support may include extra classroom visits and meetings with the new teacher. Familiarity can help a child prepare for change; it does not replace the Reception application.

The EYFS day starts at 8.45am. Morning collection is at 11.45am for children leaving before lunch, or 12.15pm for those staying for lunch; an all-day arrangement ends at 3.15pm.

Hours and days. When nursery numbers exceed 12, the school reserves the right to decide each child's attendance pattern so staffing ratios suit children's ages and needs. Families should factor that condition into childcare planning.

Nursery applications and arranged visits go through the school office. Contact 01946 861409 or admin.arlecdon@changinglives.education to begin the process.