Sproatley Endowed Church of England Academy Nursery

In November 2021, daily phonics gave Sproatley’s nursery an early reading focus within a Church of England primary school on Balk Lane. Funded entry begins in the term after a child’s third birthday, with starting points in September, January and April. This is the school’s own nursery provision. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 3 and 4 November 2021.

Early reading has a regular place in the nursery day. In November 2021, nursery children took part in phonics each day, beginning their work on the sounds used in reading. There was a caveat: teaching across the school’s phonics programme was inconsistent, and further training for adults was required. For parents, consistency in those first reading sessions is a useful point to discuss during a tour.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning includes transport, past and present, and important people. Another cycle brings in the UK, Sproatley and local heroes. These topics give children subjects to explore beyond early reading, including their own locality and changes over time.

An EYFS teacher combines early years leadership with the special educational needs coordinator role, while the staff team also includes nursery nurses. That links early years teaching and SEND coordination within the staffing structure. For children staying all day, families can choose a purchased school lunch or send a packed lunch, giving them a practical choice over the midday meal.

Support sits within the school’s wider SEND arrangements. Where needed, classroom adaptations include visual prompts, headphones that reduce noise and movement breaks. The SENCO Team and Pupil and Family Support Team oversee provision, with support plans reviewed each term and parents involved in planning. Speech and Language Therapists and the Early Years Inclusion Team are among the services the school works with. The school also has the Heron room for confidential conversations and therapeutic interventions, providing a separate space for wellbeing support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority for entry. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority. For September 2027 entry, the deadline is 15 January 2027; East Riding residents can apply online through East Riding’s school admissions service.

Transition support is a separate matter. For children with SEND, additional visits can support a move between nursery and primary school, and parents can accompany their child. Children who find change difficult can also have extra meetings with their next teacher. These arrangements support the move; they do not alter admissions priority.

Morning sessions run from 9:00am to noon, Monday to Friday; afternoon sessions run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Full-day attendance is also catered for. Session requests. The school cannot promise to meet every requested pattern, so confirm the agreed sessions before arranging other childcare.

Children qualify for 15 funded hours per week from the term after their third birthday. The school accepts a government 30-hour code for up to 15 additional funded hours. Extra hours beyond the initial entitlement may be charged if the nursery can accommodate them, and trips or visits may carry additional charges. Contact the school for current charges.

A nursery application form can be collected from the school office. Tours can be arranged by calling 01482 811499 or emailing admin.spr@ebor.academy. A tour offers a practical opportunity to discuss the session pattern you need alongside your child’s early learning and support needs.