Little Treasures Nursery at St Laurence CofE Primary School

A story each week, daily Bug Club phonics and Forest School in Mortimer Forest give Little Treasures its distinctive mix of books, play and outdoor learning. This is the nursery at St Laurence CofE Primary School in Ludlow, with a curriculum shaped by the school’s Christian values. Children can join from the term following their third birthday, with entry points at the beginning of the autumn, spring and summer terms.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 5 and 6 March 2024. That judgement covers the early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play takes up most of the day. Children pursue ideas, choose goals and work through problems, while teachers join their activities to develop their thinking. Adult guidance sits alongside room for children to become absorbed in something they have chosen themselves.

The Early Years Foundation Stage and Birth to Five Matters guide the curriculum. In parent terms, this means building language, movement and emotional development alongside early reading, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Play occupies most of the day, alongside daily phonics sessions and maths lessons.

Books have a physical home in the nursery’s reading area. A different story becomes the focus each week, and children can borrow stories to enjoy with their families. Daily phonics uses Bug Club; daily maths explores numbers to 5. Dough disco, squiggle and Penpals activities exercise fingers and hands ready for writing. Mark making, instruments, art and music give children further ways to express ideas.

Outside, the nursery has its own separate area, plus weekly Forest School activities with access to Mortimer Forest. This extends learning beyond the indoor provision.

Learning space. In March 2024, the nursery’s surroundings and some equipment were dated, restricting their contribution across the curriculum. Better organisation and equipment were required to broaden children’s learning opportunities. Look closely at the provision during a visit: the space matters as much as the activities planned for it.

Settling starts before the first session. Stay-and-play opportunities let children explore with a parent and meet the team; home visits provide another chance to recognise an adult before nursery begins. Families also receive an introductory information pack. Together, these arrangements make the start a gradual introduction rather than one unfamiliar encounter.

In March 2024, children settled promptly across the early years, and staff gave speech and language development close attention. Teachers lead the nursery, with play and relationships used to help children build friendships and understand their emotions. The nursery aims to include children with SEND in this work on confidence and independence.

Each child has an individual learning journal containing observations, photographs and artwork. Seesaw brings families photographs, reminders and updates, while invitations throughout the year allow parents to share learning celebrations and special occasions. Lunchtime supervision is part of the nursery provision.

For families exploring additional support, Shropshire’s SEND Local Offer brings together information on education, EHCPs, health and wellbeing, early help and family support. Parents can use it to explore help relevant to their child.

Attending Little Treasures does not guarantee a Reception place at St Laurence. Nursery entry and Reception admission are separate: families must apply again through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. School admissions are administered by the local authority, Shropshire Council. Treat the Reception application as a separate task, even when your child already attends nursery.

Visits to the nursery and school are by appointment. Call the office on 01584 872766 to arrange one; the school is on Jockeyfield in Ludlow.

Collection and parking. Families must not use the school car park for drop-off or collection, and are asked to avoid parking on Jockeyfield and Teme Avenue. Smithfield car park is an alternative. Allow for the walk when planning your journey.