Hudson Primary School Nursery: Little Acorns

Daily phonics gives Little Acorns a clear early reading focus. This is Hudson Primary School’s nursery for three and four-year-olds in Maghull, with entry from age three. It forms part of the school’s early years provision, rather than operating as a separate nursery setting.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 18 and 19 July 2023. That judgement covers the early years stage within the school; it is not a separate Little Acorns inspection outcome.

Read Write Inc provides the nursery’s daily phonics programme. Sessions involve practical activities and interaction, giving children regular opportunities to work on the foundations of reading. Parents can also attend reading sessions to help them support learning at home. The emphasis is on participation.

United Learning supplies the curriculum approach across Hudson’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Here, that means learning is organised to build on earlier experiences and revisit ideas as children develop their knowledge. Teachers adapt the curriculum to the children they teach, connecting the planned learning with their needs.

In July 2023, children across early years had secure phonics knowledge, approached learning positively and collaborated successfully on activities. Those findings give substance to the nursery’s reading emphasis and the social side of learning: children are developing skills alongside one another, as well as responding to adults.

For a parent worried about development or learning, the class teacher is the first contact under Hudson’s school-wide SEND arrangements. Concerns can then involve the special educational needs coordinator (SENDCO). Teaching is adjusted to individual needs, with classroom assistance or specialist equipment among the possible responses.

Additional support follows a staged process. Outside advice, including Speech and Language Therapy or Educational Psychology, may be sought with parental consent. SEND Support Plans use Assess, Plan, Do and Review, and parents are invited to discuss progress each term. This gives families a recurring opportunity to review whether support needs to change.

Hudson Family Hub adds support for families beyond classroom learning. Its team works from the main school office, providing a contact point for education, welfare and health services. Riding the Rapids is a programme for parents and carers of neurodivergent children; Shine focuses on emotional wellbeing. These are family services, distinct from the nursery curriculum.

A weekly school newsletter keeps parents informed about news, events and learning across Hudson. For individual conversations, the school’s SEND information directs families to class teachers for quick queries after school, or to the office to arrange a longer discussion. That gives parents a route for raising concerns between reviews.

Attending Little Acorns does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery applications go directly to Hudson, while Reception requires a separate application through Sefton Council. Treat the two applications as separate decisions.

For September 2027 entry, the Reception application cycle began on 1 September 2026. The school’s transition arrangements include time with the next class and teacher towards the summer term’s end, alongside staff discussions and the transfer of pupil records. Children with SEND can receive additional transition support where needed. Familiarity with the next classroom supports the change of routine; it does not secure admission.

Nursery tours take place in groups at 3.30pm on Mondays and Thursdays during term time. Book by emailing enquiries@hudsonprimary.co.uk. This is also the school’s general enquiry address, and nursery applications are handled directly by Hudson.

Uniform applies to nursery children: a red polo shirt, navy school sweatshirt or cardigan, grey skirts or trousers for girls, or grey trousers or shorts for boys, and dark shoes form the basic outfit. The policy excludes leggings, joggers and fashion bootleg trousers. Label clothing so misplaced items can be returned. Pre-loved uniform is kept in the school’s outer reception area, giving families another route to obtaining it.

At school level, widened ground-floor doorways and accessible main entrances and exits are practical features for families considering mobility needs. Hudson welcomes discussion of individual access requirements.