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Nursery at The Lancaster School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Chalk drawings on the playground, bike riding outdoors and models made from construction kits give Lancaster’s nursery its practical character. Children aged three and four join the school’s early years provision in Birchwood, Lincoln. Play gives them ways to practise movement, language and working alongside other children.
The school places an emphasis on vocabulary from the beginning of early years. That focus runs through conversations, stories and listening activities, rather than being confined to a reading lesson.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach brings together children’s interests, developing independence and learning with adults. Here, adults guide some activities while children initiate others. Books include poems, factual texts, fiction and rhymes, giving children different reasons to listen, talk and explore ideas.
Indoors, the home corner supports pretend play, small world resources invite storytelling, and construction kits give children something to design and build. Messy activities include sand, painting and water, alongside making patterns in shaving foam. Outdoors, children balance, climb, build and ride bikes in different weather conditions. Playground chalk offers another way to experiment with early writing.
Phonics begins with songs, rhymes and games that draw attention to sounds. Children listen to their surroundings, use musical instruments and explore sounds within words. Read Write Inc teaching starts in the spring term of nursery for children ready to take part. Readiness matters: the first steps are listening and noticing, before more formal work on letters and sounds.
Jigsaw supports personal and social learning from nursery onwards, with themes including Healthy Me and Celebrating Differences. Food exploration also develops language through smell, taste and texture. These activities connect learning to children’s bodies, feelings and everyday experiences.
In January 2023, early years activities were suitably planned, adults developed vocabulary and number understanding, and outdoor resources supported physical development. Across the school, some subjects still needed clearer decisions about teaching content and sequence. Some pupils also missed valuable learning through infrequent attendance or persistent absence; leaders were asked to improve attendance. This was a whole-school concern. That qualification sits alongside the positive findings about early years activities.
Warm adult relationships and predictable routines were features of early years in January 2023. Children were polite and confident. For a young child, that combination gives both a clear structure to follow and adults to turn to.
Language support begins with a Welcomm baseline assessment when children start at Lancaster, carried out by a teaching assistant specialising in speech and language. It helps identify adjustments to provision. Where an additional need emerges, the teacher or SENCO discusses concerns with parents; individual targets can then be reviewed each term. Support may involve individual work or small groups, with parental permission sought before outside agencies become involved.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Lincolnshire County Council’s normal admissions process. The stated closing date is 15 January at noon; applications can be made online or by telephone. Keep that application separate from arranging nursery sessions.
Fifteen universal funded hours begin in the term following a child’s third birthday. Lancaster offers nursery places for 15 or 30 hours according to entitlement.
Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am, and afternoons from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Beginning Flexi combines full days on Monday and Tuesday with Wednesday morning; End Flexi combines Wednesday afternoon with full days on Thursday and Friday. The 30-hour pattern runs Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 3:15pm.
Session availability. Preferred sessions cannot be guaranteed. Families whose childcare depends on particular days should take that condition into account when choosing a pattern.
Visits are welcomed. For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01522 685078 or email lancaster@forestskies.co.uk.
Lancaster offers nursery places for children aged three and four.
Children build, balance, climb and ride bikes, with outdoor play taking place in different weather conditions. They also draw with chalk on the playground.
Children begin with rhymes, songs and listening games. Read Write Inc phonics teaching starts in the spring term of nursery for those ready to access it.
Yes. Beginning Flexi combines Monday and Tuesday full days with Wednesday morning. End Flexi combines Wednesday afternoon with Thursday and Friday full days. Session choices remain subject to availability.
No. A separate application is required through Lincolnshire County Council. The stated deadline is 15 January at noon.
