Lantern Lane Primary and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Dinosaurs, songs and child-led play give Lantern Lane’s nursery its own starting point within school life. Foundation 1 occupies a purpose-built Foundation Unit in East Leake, designed for children aged three to five and shared with Foundation 2. That puts nursery learning within the school’s early-years provision.

Play is the organising principle here. Adults guide some activities, while children also choose their direction, explore ideas with others and work through problems. The nursery aims to help children persist when something is difficult and recognise both their own achievements and those of their peers.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes practical form through play and brief activities with small groups. Children’s interests help shape the content. This gives adults room to pursue a question or enthusiasm that emerges during play, alongside planned learning.

Foundation 1 topics move from Dinosaurs to Festivals & Celebrations in autumn. Spring brings The Earth & Beyond, followed by Recycling & Our Environment; summer centres on Animals and Their Habitats. These give children specific subjects to investigate rather than treating early learning as a set of isolated exercises.

Early reading begins with listening. Songs, games and nursery rhymes help children recognise sounds and rhyme, while shared stories are part of the daily early-years routine. Writing starts physically: Foundation 1 children develop coordination and control of larger and smaller movements so they can begin making letter shapes. The emphasis is on building the skills behind writing.

In December 2022, Ofsted found that nursery children practised counting, encountered mathematical vocabulary and learned to distinguish sounds in words. The same inspection identified a need for longer-term checks on the planning and delivery of the newly introduced phonics scheme. Early monitoring indicated the intended impact, but the scheme was not yet embedded and leaders remained uncertain whether it would improve reading achievement further. That qualification matters alongside the positive account of early learning.

Adults respond to children’s developing needs through interaction and consistent routines. Parents are encouraged to join activities and participate in school life as their circumstances allow, giving families a role in the nursery experience.

Lunchtime has its own sequence. Nursery Lunch Club provides supervision between sessions for children staying into the afternoon. A midday supervisor supports handwashing and eating; families can provide a packed lunch or order a school meal through nursery staff. Conversation and table manners are encouraged, followed by time to relax and play before afternoon learning begins.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school gathers information from parents and relevant services to identify needs early. When needs are known before entry, staff work with those involved on a transition plan. Classroom support can be supplemented by individual or small-group work and specialist services where appropriate.

Class Dojo connects families with teachers through class updates and direct messages. Non-urgent messages typically receive a response within 48 hours, helping parents judge when to expect a reply. Families can also raise a safeguarding worry with any staff member.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Nottinghamshire County Council, using its normal admissions timetable; applying online is the stated route. Nursery applications are handled by the school, so these are distinct processes.

Morning sessions run from 8:40am to 11:40am, with afternoon sessions from 12:25pm to 3:25pm, Monday to Friday during term time. The nursery offers 15 funded hours, with up to 30 hours available through funding for eligible families or paid additional sessions. Paid afternoon sessions require booking a term ahead, using both a booking form and parental declaration. Lunch supervision carries an additional charge; contact the school for current charges.

ACE Sports Coaching provides wraparound care in the School Hall. Breakfast club starts at 7:30am and after-school care finishes at 5:45pm. A quiet room offers space for reading or quieter activities, adding a useful option within the longer day.

Nursery uniform includes a dark green top, a white or dark green shirt or polo, and grey or black bottoms. Logo items are optional, and clothing should be labelled. To enquire or arrange a visit, email office@lanternlane.notts.sch.uk or telephone 01509 820112.