Harbottle Church of England First School Nursery

A Calm Cabin for books and a yurt for seasonal storytelling give Harbottle’s nursery a distinctive reading focus. Children join from age three, within the early years unit at Harbottle Church of England First School in rural Northumberland. Books sit among the play resources, rather than being confined to a reading corner. That makes stories part of play as well as a group activity.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 22 and 23 November 2023. This judgement covers early years within the school.

Short literacy activities, lasting 5/10 minutes, introduce nursery children to familiar rhymes and books suited to their age. The school follows Read Write Inc, with nursery learning centred on singing, conversation and hearing stories. Letter sounds begin in the late summer term if children are ready. The condition matters: the starting point depends on readiness.

Choice has a place in the routine. At snack time, children vote between two books to hear, and they can join show and tell if they wish. Role play gives them reasons to talk together. Each week, nursery children can select a library book to share with their parents, taking the reading experience home.

The Early Years Foundation Stage learning here includes communication, early reading and making marks through play. Pens and notebooks are within reach, while outdoor chalkboards provide another way to experiment with writing. Books accompany construction outdoors and the investigation area; counting books sit with maths resources. Children can encounter written language while building, exploring or playing, rather than only during a lesson.

The Calm Cabin contains the designated reading space. In spring and summer, storytelling also uses the yurt, giving this shared activity a different setting. In November 2023, early years children concentrated on number learning and took collective responsibility for looking after their outdoor learning areas each week. Practical responsibility therefore sits alongside early learning.

Speech and language needs have a specific response. Staff aim to identify difficulties early, discuss them with parents and involve the Speech and Language Therapy Team when necessary. This connects classroom observations with family knowledge and specialist advice.

Across the school, the SENDCo involves parents in reviewing support and liaises with professionals, including Educational Psychology. Accessible toilets are provided, and children with additional medical needs have a Health Care Plan completed by their parents or carers.

Safeguarding records. In November 2023, safeguarding arrangements across the school were effective, but records were disorganised and did not clearly show the actions taken to protect pupils. Clear, chronological recording was required. This was a school-wide concern relevant to families choosing its nursery.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Admissions to Harbottle are handled by Northumberland County Council, so choosing the nursery and applying for school remain separate decisions.

The school operates during term time, Monday to Friday, from 8.45am to 3.15pm. These are school opening hours. Nursery enquiries can be made through the school on 01669 650271; school admissions enquiries go to Northumberland County Council on 01670 624889.