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Nursery at Newcastle-under-Lyme School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Forest School, French and Rhythm Time give Little NULS a distinctive mix of outdoor discovery, language and music. This is Newcastle-under-Lyme School’s nursery for children aged two to four, with access to school facilities that include a Dance Studio and a 25m indoor swimming pool. Swimming has a specific place in the programme: the Summer Term of Pre-School.
The nursery belongs to an independent school on Mount Pleasant. Its early years provision sits within the junior school, giving the youngest children their own stage of education within a larger school structure.
A morning session includes lunch, while afternoon attendance provides a separate booking option. Families can combine sessions or choose whole days, so the nursery day can fit different patterns of care rather than requiring a full week.
Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with seven areas covering children’s development. In parent terms, this brings learning to communicate and manage feelings alongside early literacy and mathematics. During the ISI inspection of 16 to 18 April 2024, staff were found to adapt activities and their language to individual children’s needs. That matters for children developing at different rates: support changes with the child.
French, Rhythm Time and Forest School are weekly activities. Dance lessons also take place weekly, with a dance teacher using the school’s Dance Studio; Wildlife Rescue Centres are among the visiting organisations. These experiences give children different ways to participate, through movement, music, language and encounters with the natural world.
A short walk connects the Little NULS play area with the on-site Forest School. Here, practical exploration and supported risk-taking are part of the nursery’s approach to building confidence. Indoors, April 2024 findings describe learning spaces arranged to help children choose and start activities themselves. Independence has a physical setting as well as a place in the curriculum.
The staffing structure includes a nursery manager and early years practitioners. In April 2024, children were learning to take turns, wait and express their feelings and ideas with adult help. These are useful foundations for playing alongside other children and resolving small social difficulties.
Daily activity updates keep early years parents connected with their child’s experiences. The April 2024 inspection also found that adults followed procedures for intimate care, digital devices and paediatric first aid carefully, grounding reassurance in the routines relevant to young children.
Meals accompany full-day, short-day and morning attendance, while afternoon-only attendance includes snacks. Children also learn about diet, exercise, sleep and looking after their teeth. Ask the school for current charges when planning the cost of attendance.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the school’s admissions team: registration is followed by an informal assessment, after which the team discusses the application outcome. Treat that decision as a separate step when planning your child’s schooling.
In April 2024, early years staff were preparing children for their next year through activities adapted to their development. That preparation concerns learning and readiness; it does not secure admission.
Full days run from 08:00 to 18:00, with a short day ending at 15:45. Morning sessions finish at 13:00; afternoons run from 13:00 to 18:00. The shorter day can align collection with older siblings elsewhere in the school.
Families can choose 50-week provision or term-time attendance, defined as 38 weeks. Closures include Bank Holidays, INSET days and two weeks at Christmas. Combinations of mornings, afternoons and whole days are possible, and Little NULS often recommends at least five sessions. Funded-session-only attendance is also an option; the nursery accepts Early Education Funding and Tax-Free Childcare.
Personal tours can be arranged through the nursery’s visit form. Children wear uniform: a red Little NULS V-neck jumper with a white polo shirt, plus grey trousers, shorts or a pinafore; a summer dress is another option in warmer months.
Little NULS caters for children aged two, three and four.
Morning sessions run from 08:00 to 13:00 and include lunch. Families can combine sessions, with a minimum of five often recommended.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the school and an informal assessment.
Swimming lessons in the 25m indoor pool take place during the Summer Term of Pre-School.
The nursery accepts Early Education Funding and Tax-Free Childcare, with funded-session-only attendance among the booking options.
