Thorpepark Academy Nursery Review

Little Jumping Beans and Jumping Beans give Thorpepark Academy’s youngest children their own nursery identity. Provision covers children aged 2, 3 and 4, with morning and afternoon sessions alongside a full-day option for children entitled to 30 hours funding. The practical distinction matters: families can plan around a shorter session, while eligible children can remain through lunchtime.

Based at Laxthorpe on Hull’s Orchard Park Estate, this is nursery provision within the academy. Little Jumping Beans has a pre-nursery manager whose responsibilities include safeguarding and welfare for the nursery’s youngest children, linking management with their everyday care.

Cooperation is practised through play at Little Jumping Beans. Role play, movement and music give children opportunities to work together; stories and activities led by adults encourage listening and taking turns. Staff prepare activities before sessions begin, leaving time to engage with children rather than organise materials around them. Individual conversations also have a place in the session.

In June 2025, Ofsted found that the curriculum, including early years, had ambition and a carefully planned sequence of learning. Children learn behaviour expectations from their earliest time in the provision. There is a teaching caveat: across the school, vocabulary was sometimes used inaccurately, making it harder for pupils to explain their understanding. More consistent vocabulary teaching was an improvement priority.

A keyworker relationship is central to Little Jumping Beans’ response when a child struggles with separation. The emphasis is on strengthening that attachment so the child feels secure. When behaviour becomes a continuing concern, parents, the keyworker and deputy manager agree strategies together and adjust the plan as needed. This gives families a shared approach rather than a problem handled solely within the session.

Sharing and kindness receive positive recognition. Adults help children put feelings into words and work through hurtful incidents, including using role play to practise another response. Parents are informed when their child is involved in biting.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), starting nursery includes a home visit and a transition plan agreed with parents. Teaching is adapted to individual needs, with the SEND coordinator and outside agencies involved where appropriate. Across the school site, ground-level entrances and ramps where needed support physical access.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Hull City Council’s normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. For 2027-2028 entry, attending the nursery gives no Reception priority.

Transition support is a separate matter. Children with SEND moving between classes have meetings involving the next teacher, visual transition books and visits to their next classroom. These help explain the change; they do not alter the admissions decision.

Monday to Friday, morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am, with afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The full day runs from 8.45am to 3.30pm and is restricted to children entitled to 30 hours funding. Nursery remains open until 3.30pm on Thursdays.

Families can request full days or part-time sessions within their entitlement; paid session choices depend on availability. The school covers lunchtime supervision for children remaining on site. Nursery lunchtime is 11.30am to 12.20pm, providing a break within the longer day.

Enquiries go to the academy office on 01482 854632 or TP-Admin@vennacademy.org. Contact the school for current charges.