Burton End Primary Academy Nursery

Play indoors and outdoors, with adults joining children’s learning, gives Burton End’s nursery its shape. This is nursery provision on the primary academy’s site in Haverhill, for children aged three to four, with 48 places. It sits within the school’s early years provision, rather than operating as a separate nursery setting.

Stories, conversation and early number work sit alongside learning to share and manage feelings: practical foundations for spending time with other children.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) organises learning into seven areas. For parents, that means attention to movement, language and emotional development alongside early literacy, mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world. Learning is broader than preparation for reading and writing.

Continuous provision is the teaching model here. Children learn through indoor and outdoor play, while staff use their interactions to extend understanding. The important distinction is that play and teaching work together: an adult’s conversation can turn a child’s activity into an opportunity to learn something new.

CUSP Early Foundations supports coverage across those seven areas. Structured story sessions also use the Curriculum for Unity Schools Partnership (CUSP), with books chosen to suit the children and the changing year. Stories include different cultures and themes, giving children material for talking about the world beyond their own experience.

Within EYFS, Maths Mastery and Mastering Number support mathematics, while Sounds-Write supports phonics. These named programmes give the play-based provision a planned teaching structure. In March 2025, early years children enjoyed participating in picture-book stories and extending their vocabulary. Books are something children take part in, rather than simply listen to.

Social routines begin in the nursery. In March 2025, children were learning to sit together, share resources and wait for a turn. Early years children settled successfully, with adults helping them recognise and understand emotions. That makes learning to be with other children part of the day’s work.

For families with concerns about development or additional needs, the class teacher is the first contact; the school’s special educational needs coordinator can also be approached through the office. The school seeks external specialist advice where appropriate and aims to include children across school life.

Physical access arrangements across the school include wheelchair-accessible entrances, parking near the main entrance for disabled users and children’s accessible toilets. These are useful practical features for families considering access needs. During term time, a safeguarding lead is available to discuss concerns, and the safeguarding team meets regularly to arrange support within school and through other agencies.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the local authority’s admissions website in the normal admissions round and meet the normal deadline. Suffolk County Council coordinates Reception admissions and communicates decisions to parents. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for school as separate decisions.

The nursery is at Burton End Primary Academy on School Lane, Haverhill, CB9 9DE. General enquiries go to the school office on 01440 702376 or admin@burtonendschool.co.uk. School visits can be booked by calling the office, giving families an opportunity to see the setting and meet staff before deciding.