Flookburgh CofE Primary School Nursery Review

A garden, a stage and woodland give Flookburgh’s nursery a day that reaches well beyond the classroom. This teacher-led provision has room for up to 26 children, with entry from the beginning of the term in which they turn three. Nursery children belong to Hill Top Class, alongside Reception children, within the main school building.

That shared classroom is a defining practical feature. Children begin their school experience in a mixed-age group, while two outdoor play spaces give them different places to explore. One connects directly to the classroom.

Outdoor learning has concrete substance here: a climbing frame for movement, a sandpit for exploration, and a stage and creative den for imaginative play. The garden adds another setting for discovery. Children also use the allotment, woodland and wider green spaces through the year. Wellies and waterproof clothing are essential kit, so outdoor activity is part of ordinary nursery life.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides learning, with Birth to 5 Matters helping staff translate that framework into classroom experiences. Read Write Inc. structures early phonics, giving letter sounds their own place in the timetable. Elements of White Rose Maths support early mathematical learning. These named approaches give parents a concrete picture of how early reading and number work are organised.

At the December 2024 inspection, Ofsted identified early reading as a strength, with nursery children enjoying vocabulary, songs and rhymes that developed listening and pronunciation. Learning includes exploration with friends as well as these foundations for reading.

Hill Top has a class teacher and a teaching assistant. Nursery lunch begins at noon, and the school’s multipurpose hall is used for dinners. Each classroom has its own access to toilets and the grounds, placing everyday care facilities close to the learning space.

For children with additional needs, the school’s SEND information and inclusion policy cover individual needs, disability access and equal treatment. Parents can discuss their child’s needs with the school. Cumbria SEND Information, Advice and Support Service also provides impartial help, including preparation for meetings and support during them. Safeguarding concerns can be raised with the designated leads or the safeguarding governor.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline.

Sharing Hill Top Class and outdoor spaces with Reception children provides familiarity with the setting. Treat that continuity as part of the child’s experience, rather than an assurance about admission.

The nursery’s 15-hour entitlement is arranged across five mornings each week. Provision extends to up to 30 hours weekly, with the additional funded hours conditional on family eligibility. Paid additional hours are also offered to parents working more than 16 hours a week. Contact the school for current charges.

Enquiries go to the office on 015395 58434 or admin@flookburgh.cumbria.sch.uk. The admission data capture form serves both nursery and main-school entrants. Families are also invited to arrange a look around through the office.

The school’s published uniform includes royal blue knitwear, grey trousers or skirts and a white polo shirt. Branded items are optional, and donated uniform is reused. Ask the office whether these requirements apply to nursery children. Wellies and wet-weather clothing are essential for outdoor learning.