Crosscrake CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Short sessions, lunch between them and care extending beyond the teaching day give Crosscrake’s nursery a practical shape. Families can use a morning or afternoon session, or join the two with lunch for a full day. That makes the distinction between early learning and a longer childcare day useful when planning attendance.

This is the nursery within Crosscrake CofE Primary School in Stainton, Kendal. Places include provision for children aged two, alongside government-funded provision for three-year-olds. Its school setting also brings a Christian framework: kindness, hope and perseverance guide teaching, giving families a clear sense of the values surrounding their child’s early learning.

Songs and rhymes provide the clearest picture of children’s learning here. At the March 2023 inspection, Ofsted described nursery children enjoying familiar rhymes and traditional singing. This puts shared language and music into the picture of the nursery day, rather than presenting early learning solely as preparation for formal lessons.

Morning learning runs from 9am until noon, with the afternoon beginning at 1pm and ending at 3pm. Lunch connects the sessions for children staying all day. For parents choosing between the two, the morning provides a longer session; the afternoon is a shorter option.

In March 2023, the youngest children were thriving within a caring atmosphere. That is a finding about the children’s experience, rather than a separate inspection grade for the nursery.

Lunch is part of the full-day option, so staying through the middle of the day is possible. The additional care before and after nursery sessions is provided by nursery staff. For families using the longer day, that staffing arrangement links the extra childcare hours with the nursery team.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. The school directs school applications to Westmorland & Furness Council’s online route, so choosing nursery and applying for school are distinct decisions.

Keep those decisions separate when planning your child’s next step: a nursery place is a choice about their early learning and childcare, rather than confirmation of their later school place. Use the council application route for Reception and meet the normal deadline, even if your child already attends the nursery.

Session pattern. Morning sessions are 9am to noon; afternoons run from 1pm to 3pm. Children can stay for lunch and attend both. The full-day option therefore suits families wanting to connect the two learning sessions.

Longer childcare day. Wraparound care spans 8am to 5pm and uses nursery staff. These hours extend beyond the nursery sessions, a useful distinction when matching childcare to work commitments.

Funding and enquiries. Government-funded provision is offered for three-year-olds, while places are also offered for two-year-olds. Contact the school about current charges and availability. General enquiries go through the school office: telephone 01539 560410 or email admin@crosscrake.cumbria.sch.uk.

A visit can be arranged through the office. This gives families a direct way to see the setting before deciding whether its session pattern fits their needs.