Francis Askew Primary School Nursery

A dedicated outdoor area and a spacious indoor room give Francis Askew’s nursery its own place within the school’s Foundation unit. Capacity is 39 full-time-equivalent places, with some children attending part time. Children can start in the term following their third birthday.

The nursery sits beside two Foundation 2 classrooms. It is a school nursery with its own learning space, rather than a separate childcare setting. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good following the inspection on 25 and 26 April 2023; that judgement covers early years within the school.

Choice is built into the learning environment. Labelled resources are arranged for children to select what they need, giving them practical opportunities to act independently. Activities take place indoors and outside, with adults joining children’s play to develop their thinking and language. Staff use children’s existing interests and understanding to plan what comes next.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach here combines exploration with adult support: children ask questions, try ideas and choose resources, while staff introduce activities for small groups as well as opportunities for children to pursue their own learning. The dedicated nursery outdoor area gives that exploration a space beyond the classroom.

Working alone or with a small group, children showed concentration and cooperation during the April 2023 inspection. Play gave new language a practical purpose: toy animals and construction materials became props for recreating a holiday swim. Children brought words taught by adults into these imagined experiences. Behind that play was a curriculum organised into a logical teaching sequence, connecting planned learning with children’s own ideas.

Commando Joe’s begins in the early years. Its missions use scenarios to practise teamwork, communication and problem solving, adding a named approach to learning how to tackle challenges together.

Key worker groups give children a particular adult responsible for their learning and needs. Parents can share interests and concerns through regular conversations, parent consultations, Stay and play sessions and Early Start Sessions. These offer different ways to keep home and nursery connected, including opportunities to take part together.

The staff team includes a nursery nurse and EYFS teachers. Across the school, the special educational needs coordinator works with teachers and external agencies. Curriculum Pathways organise targeted support around Resilience for emotions, Expression for communication and Citizenship for life skills. For families whose child needs additional help, these provide concrete areas around which support can be discussed.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

The neighbouring Foundation 2 classrooms place the nursery physically alongside the next stage of school. That proximity is a feature of the layout, not an admissions entitlement.

Apply directly to the school using an application form. Nursery visits can be arranged by appointment through the office on 01482 509627, giving families a chance to see the provision before applying.

Foundation-stage children are brought to and collected from their classroom gates. For clothing, the Foundation uniform guidance includes pale blue or white polo shirts, royal blue knitwear and grey or black bottoms. Non-logo items in the school colours are suitable, and clothes should be labelled.