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Nursery at Kirkland Church of England Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A separate nursery outdoor space and a classroom shared with older children give Kirkland's youngest pupils two different settings for play and learning. Nursery welcomes children from age two within this rural Church of England primary school near Frizington.
Squirrel's Room accommodates children aged two to seven, bringing nursery into the same classroom setting as older pupils. The room can be divided for quieter teaching activities, so the shared arrangement also allows smaller spaces. In the Ofsted inspection of 8 and 9 May 2024, early years provision was graded Good.
Play shapes the early years curriculum. Topics provide a starting point, but planning changes to follow children's interests, with practical exploration giving them an active part in their learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach here combines play with adult guidance, rather than making the whole session a sequence of formal lessons. Development Matters helps staff track progress from nursery entry.
Within Squirrel's Room, children take part in both activities they choose and activities directed by adults. Indoor learning is paired with outdoor provision. Beyond the classroom, an enclosed nursery and toddler play area and a secure early years outdoor area give the youngest children spaces of their own. The wider school grounds include vegetable plots and a large field.
Read Write Inc Phonics starts in nursery when children are ready. Initial sounds are introduced in short, five-minute sessions, keeping this early teaching brief. The programme follows children's learning stage rather than age, and regular assessments determine their groups. Daily reading to children also supports their familiarity with books.
Early reading and mathematics were central to the early years curriculum in May 2024. Writing needed closer attention: some children developed uncorrected habits in pencil grip and letter formation. For parents, this makes attention to those early physical writing skills an important consideration alongside phonics.
Children in early years settled quickly in May 2024 and valued the emotional help they received. Support for additional needs also began successfully at this stage: staff identified needs promptly and worked with families and outside professionals to shape educational support.
Parents contribute to assessment through an observation display. They can add examples of what their child does, such as counting confidently, allowing learning at home to inform the picture staff build. The school encourages direct conversations with staff, while its staffing structure includes an early years safeguarding lead who also holds the SENCO role. For children with SEND, individual assessment identifies barriers to learning, and class activities are adapted to meet their needs. Staff track progress in smaller steps, allowing attention to gains that broader assessments might overlook.
Each morning includes a snack with milk or water. For lunch, children can bring a packed meal or have a school dinner, cooked daily at Dean C of E School and transported to Kirkland. Menus change each term and dietary needs are accommodated. Nursery dinners are charged unless a child qualifies for free school meals; contact the school for current charges.
A separate application. Attending Kirkland's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing nursery should therefore be a decision about the early years experience itself.
The shared Squirrel's Room places nursery children alongside older pupils, but that classroom arrangement does not secure admission to Reception.
Three session options fit different lengths of day: mornings run from 8.30am to 11.30am; a morning including lunch ends at 1.00pm; and a full day finishes at 3.00pm. All begin at 8.30am, with opening on weekdays. The lunch option gives families a middle choice between a short morning and the full day.
Direct enquiries to the school administrator on 01946 861386 or admin@kirkland.cumbria.sch.uk. Visits can be arranged by appointment, giving families an opportunity to meet the staff team.
The early years setting welcomes children aged two and over.
A morning runs from 8.30am to 11.30am, a morning with lunch from 8.30am to 1.00pm, and a full day from 8.30am to 3.00pm, on weekdays.
Read Write Inc Phonics introduces initial sounds when children are ready, through short, five-minute sessions.
Children receive a morning snack and milk or water. They can bring a packed lunch or have a school dinner, with dietary requirements accommodated. Nursery dinners are charged unless a child qualifies for free school meals.
No. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline.
