Eastfield Primary Academy Nursery Review

Kites, dens and a shared Early Years Unit give Eastfield’s nursery its character: children have daily outdoor play alongside short teaching sessions and time to follow their interests. This is the nursery at Eastfield Primary Academy in Immingham, for children aged 3 and 4. Its 52 places comprise 26 morning places and 26 afternoon places, rather than 52 children attending together.

At the Ofsted inspection on 1 and 2 November 2023, early years provision was graded Outstanding within the school’s inspection. The nursery belongs to the school’s Early Years Unit, with opportunities to explore beyond its own teaching area.

A morning combines group routines with freedom to choose. Circle time at 9.15am includes songs, counting and discussion of the weather; at 9.30am, a teaching session lasting around 20 minutes may cover maths, phonics or a topic. Children then choose activities while adults also lead learning. A shared snack at 10.30am punctuates the morning, before tidying, reflection, stories and singing. Afternoon sessions follow a similar rhythm.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning about relationships, language and movement with early reading, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Development Matters helps guide planning, and staff observations shape activities around children’s interests and next steps. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds begins in nursery; Jigsaw brings emotional literacy and social skills into the curriculum. These sit alongside play, rather than filling the session with formal teaching.

Indoors, children have group teaching areas and individual pegs in the cloakroom. Activities extend outdoors, where kite flying, den making and imaginative play give children reasons to move, explore and talk. Outdoor play happens daily in most weather conditions. In November 2023, vocabulary development was a clear strength of early years, and children cooperated well and treated one another respectfully.

Settling arrangements respond to the individual child. Parents can remain for the first 15 minutes if needed, and staff comfort upset children and contact parents to reassure them once their child settles. EYFS practitioners and a teaching assistant make up the nursery team; qualifications include a level 3 Diploma in Nursery Nursing. Termly development meetings and a summer report provide more structured conversations alongside daily contact with staff.

Food is part of the shared routine. Daily snacks include seasonal vegetables or fruit and milk, with children eating together under supervision. Full-day children can bring lunch from home or have a paid school lunch, booked through MCAS a week ahead. Choices include vegetarian or meat meals, sandwiches and filled jacket potatoes. Each child receives a water bottle to take home for cleaning and refilling.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), observations and conversations with parents help identify support needs. The school’s SENDCO coordinates provision, with parents involved in planning and reviewing support. Ground-floor accessibility, adapted toilets and handrails provide practical support for children with physical needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions route by the applicable deadline; the school’s application route is Apply for a school place.

Familiarity is a separate benefit. Nursery children get to know the Early Years Unit’s staff, explore the Reception area during child-choice activities and join shared theme days. This makes the next classroom and its adults less unfamiliar. For children moving elsewhere, staff liaise with the receiving teacher wherever possible.

Term-time sessions offer several ways to use funded hours. The 30-hour pattern runs Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 3.15pm. For 15-hour places, families can choose weekday mornings, 8.45am to 11.45am, or afternoons, 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Alternatively, hours can be grouped into two full days and a half day at either end of the week.

All children aged 3 and 4 have a 15-hour funded entitlement; 30-hour funding depends on eligibility. Funding forms are due before each term, and a valid 30-hour code is needed by the preceding month’s end, with eligibility reconfirmed every three months. Extra sessions are agreed termly and paid ahead of each half term. Lunch and wraparound care carry separate charges; ask the school for current charges. Breakfast Club runs from 7.45am to 8.45am on weekdays, and after-school care is also offered, with advance booking and payment through MCAS.

Enquiries go to the school office on 01469 572455 or office@eastfieldprimary.co.uk; families can arrange a tour with their child. Uniform combines red sweatshirts or cardigans, red or white polo shirts and grey or black bottoms. Nursery children need no PE kit. Collection uses authorised adults and a password when the collector is unfamiliar to staff.