Pearson Primary School Nursery Review

Outdoor learning every day gives Pearson’s Foundation Stage a clear practical character: warm coats and wellies belong alongside the learning materials. The nursery is part of Pearson Primary School on Leicester Street in Hull, with the school’s values of Restorative, Inclusive and Hardworking introduced from the Foundation Stage.

At the Ofsted inspection on 14 and 15 June 2022, early years provision was graded Outstanding. This was a judgement on the school’s early years provision, rather than a separate nursery inspection. Early learning was carefully broken into manageable stages, and children participated keenly in activities. That gives families a dated assessment of the teaching behind the provision.

Teaching and exploration work together across the Foundation Stage. Adult-led sessions introduce learning, while time to explore lets children try it out for themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework covers children’s development, learning and safety; Pearson’s approach combines this with attention to language, relationships and discovering the surrounding world.

Children’s interests and earlier experiences help shape the curriculum. This gives adults a starting point for introducing something new, rather than treating every child’s learning as identical. Outdoor work is expected daily across the Foundation Stage, making preparation for the weather part of the routine.

Art has a nursery-specific starting point: children use brushes, paint and collage, including cutting and sticking. These activities introduce tools and materials through practical work. They also give children something they can make and discuss, connecting creative activity with communication.

Settling begins before the first school day. Foundation Stage children receive a home visit and attend a stay and play session, giving staff an opportunity to learn about them and begin relationships with their families. Before the September start, Dojo carries videos and information to help families prepare. Face-to-face contact and online communication continue within the Foundation Stage.

For concerns about additional needs, the class teacher is the first point of contact. The school’s SEND support uses a cycle of assessing needs, planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing it each term. Parents contribute to decisions about support. Across the school, classrooms include quiet areas and visual timetables, with sensory breaks offered to support children’s individual needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through the Hull City Council Primary Schools Admissions Team and meet the normal application deadline.

For 2027/28, attending a HCAT primary nursery for at least the three terms immediately before Reception gives fourth-priority status after EHCP allocations. Looked-after children and the two sibling categories come ahead of it. This is conditional priority when places are oversubscribed, so families should distinguish it from an assured place.

Preparation for a new class is separate from allocation. In the final summer-term week, children spend time with their next teacher in their new classroom. Staff also exchange essential information. Children needing additional transition support may use booklets, extra visits or Communication Passports, helping the next team understand their needs.

The school office handles general enquiries on 01482 328569 or at admin.pearson@hcat.org.uk. Pearson’s address is Leicester Street, Hull, HU3 1TB. For Foundation Stage outdoor learning, provide wellies and a warm coat so your child can take part in the daily outdoor work.