Chaloner Primary School Nursery

Friendships, conversation and learning to spend time apart from parents give Chaloner’s nursery its focus. Staff plan for these emotional and social steps alongside the curriculum, making the start of nursery about more than preparation for classroom learning.

Chaloner Nursery School is the nursery provision at Chaloner Primary School on Wilton Lane in Guisborough. It offers placements for children aged two, three and four. Attendance can be arranged flexibly, while wraparound care extends the options for families working beyond the nursery day. It operates in term time, so holiday childcare needs a separate arrangement.

Communication and language are explicit priorities. Staff plan both the learning environment and the curriculum to develop children’s skills, with making friends and becoming more confident learners among the nursery’s aims. For a young child, learning to communicate and get along with other children sits alongside the move towards greater independence.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) brings learning, development and care together for children from birth to five. That means care belongs within the educational framework, alongside learning. At Chaloner, planning for children’s emotional needs accompanies planning for the skills they will take into school.

Shared texts are used to teach understanding in the early years. The emphasis is on making sense of what happens in a book, alongside learning to recognise words. This gives reading a purpose beyond sounding out letters: understanding the story matters too.

Settling away from parents receives deliberate attention. Staff plan support for children’s emotions, friendships and developing language, linking adjustment to nursery with the ability to communicate. The nursery describes its team as experienced and highly qualified.

For children with additional needs, the school’s SEND approach recognises that support may need to differ from ordinary class provision. Families can contact the SEND coordinator about concerns. This provides a route for discussing a child’s needs with the school.

School meals are supplied by Creative Management and prepared in the school’s kitchen each day. The menu changes fortnightly. Children can bring a packed lunch instead, with a healthy balance expected and sweets and chocolate excluded; switching to packed lunches requires two weeks’ notice. These arrangements give families a choice while allowing the kitchen to plan food orders.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Chaloner’s Reception class. Families must make a separate school application through Redcar and Cleveland’s coordinated admissions process. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception are distinct decisions.

Preparation for full-time school is one of the nursery’s stated aims, with educational, emotional and social development brought together. That preparation should be understood separately from the allocation of a school place.

Universal 15-hour placements are offered for three- and four-year-olds. Funded 15-hour places for two-year-olds require an eligibility application, while eligible three- and four-year-olds can attend full time through the 30-hour option. Flexible attendance patterns are also offered.

Breakfast club starts daily at 8am, and after-school childcare runs as late as 5pm. Wraparound care carries additional charges; contact the school for current charges. The nursery does not provide holiday childcare.

Visits can be arranged through the main office on 01287 635728 or by emailing office@chaloner.lingfieldtrust.org.uk. This is also the nursery enquiry route for families considering a place.