Grange Primary School Nursery

Sound games, stories and learning to express feelings give Grange’s nursery its character. Reading starts here with actions and repeated sounds, giving children something active to do as they begin recognising the sounds that words contain. This is nursery provision within Grange Primary School in Grimsby, with morning and afternoon sessions rather than a single session timetable.

Entry is around a child’s third birthday, subject to space. An early years phase leader and teaching team sit within the school’s staffing structure, connecting the nursery to its wider early years provision.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, physical development, relationships and early learning. At Grange, its communication focus includes listening to stories, asking questions and explaining ideas. Nursery phonics uses actions, sound repetition and games: children practise recognising sounds through speech or text. That makes the first steps towards reading active and participatory.

Creativity has several forms. The early years curriculum includes role-play, dance, making music and experimenting with materials, while mathematics introduces counting, patterns and language for comparing size and capacity. These are opportunities to explore ideas through objects, movement and conversation. Physical development also includes handling tools and pencils, alongside learning about exercise and personal care.

In October 2024, Ofsted found that early years children built close relationships with staff and learnt useful routines. Activities connected with The Colour Monster, and a learning aid paired pictures of a bear with vocabulary for its body parts. These concrete examples show how books and pictures support understanding. The school also has a Woodland Library area, giving its reading emphasis a physical presence.

Learning to manage feelings is part of the early years day. In October 2024, children were developing emotional control alongside classroom routines, and learning about people who could help them. This gives care a practical learning dimension: recognising feelings and knowing whom to approach.

Tapestry connects families with their child’s early years learning. Parents can see progress online and contribute comments, photographs or other media, allowing experiences at home to become part of the conversation with staff.

For children identified with learning difficulties, the school uses an individual pupil passport, reviewed each term, with parents encouraged to participate. Contact with the special educational needs coordinator begins through the office. Children and parents can also speak with the school’s wellbeing team about concerns, providing another route to support.

Attending Grange’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat the nursery decision and the Reception application as two separate steps, even when the intention is to remain at Grange.

Morning nursery runs from 8.35am to 11.35am; the afternoon session is 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Doors open five minutes before each session finishes. Collection is restricted to adults recorded on the nominated-adult form, so changes to collection arrangements need to reach the class teacher or office promptly.

Grange offers provision for eligible children aged three or four using 30-hour funding. Funding starts the term after the child turns three and has received a valid 30-hour code, whichever is later. Details must be reconfirmed every three months. The entitlement excludes meals, consumables, extra hours and additional activities; any optional charges must come with alternatives and cannot be compulsory for taking a funded place. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery applications can be made online or by returning a form to the office. School tours, including time for questions, can be arranged on 01472 232030.