Sherburn Church of England Primary Academy Nursery

Dough Disco, outdoor discovery and a mixed-age unit give Sherburn’s nursery its character. Provision for children aged 2 to 4 sits within a unit spanning ages 2 to 7, so older children are part of the learning surroundings. The nursery aims to make those older role models a source of confidence and belonging.

This is the nursery at Sherburn Church of England Primary Academy, which joined Ebor Academy Trust on 1 July 2024. The current academy has no Ofsted graded rating yet. Historical findings about its predecessor need to be kept separate from that position.

Play follows children’s interests, including space, dinosaurs and puddles. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the emphasis is on communication, physical development and learning to manage feelings and relationships. In parent terms, talking, moving and getting along with others are central to the day. Individual targets and a Focus Children approach give staff a way to direct attention to each child’s learning.

The morning routine begins with a check-in and Dough Disco, using finger movements before a phonics or maths input. Children then choose their learning activities, followed by rhymes and sound work. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides the phonics approach; nursery children use Foundations to Phonics for listening, attention and blending sounds aloud. Sound games give this early reading work a practical shape.

An outdoor area supports exploration of the natural world. Afternoon learning includes time outdoors, with a story and reflection later in the session. Music also appears through adult-led activities and play provision, with traditional rhymes used to develop spoken language. The balance is between children’s choices and short periods of directed learning.

Class Dojo brings photographs and videos of learning to parents’ phones, giving families something concrete to talk about at home. Before joining, families can attend Tiny Steps to meet staff and explore the resources. This offers an introduction to the people and surroundings children will encounter.

An assistant headteacher also holds the EYFS lead role. Across the school, the SEND coordinator advises staff and works with external agencies. Parents take part in decisions about adding a child to the SEND register. School support can include visual prompts, movement breaks and headphones to reduce noise, depending on need. Families considering joining can discuss adjustments with the SEND coordinator before applying.

For lunch, nursery children can bring a packed meal or have a school meal with a charge. Ask the school for current charges.

Historical inspection concerns. At the predecessor school’s June 2022 inspection, early years required improvement because curriculum planning lacked clear learning steps. Safeguarding weaknesses included insufficient checks of incident patterns, absent pupils’ welfare and medical plans, alongside weak governor oversight. In October 2023, staff had a planned safeguarding training programme and responded promptly to concerns, but analysis of incidents and evaluation of attendance-related action still needed development. These findings predate the academy’s membership of Ebor Academy Trust.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Sherburn. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority and meet the deadline for their entry year. For North Yorkshire residents, that route is North Yorkshire’s admissions service; families living elsewhere apply through their own authority.

The mixed-age unit gives nursery children contact with older learners. That everyday familiarity is separate from the allocation of Reception places. Treat the nursery choice and the later school application as two decisions.

Nursery session times differ across the published information. Confirm the applicable timetable with the school before booking or arranging childcare. Requested session combinations cannot be guaranteed.

Funding includes universal 15 hours for children aged 3 to 4, 15 hours for eligible two-year-olds receiving additional support, and 30-hour funding for eligible working parents. Non-funded hours carry a charge; check current arrangements with the school.

Email admin.she@ebor.academy to arrange a tour. An online nursery enquiry form adds families to the waiting list, while nursery applications are made directly to the school.