Alverton Primary School Nursery

Three-hour sessions give Little Acorns a clear rhythm: time for children to choose activities, work with adults and explore outdoors. Alverton Primary School's nursery takes children aged 3 and 4, with a maximum of 26 places. It belongs to the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), rather than operating as a separate childcare setting.

Morning and afternoon sessions are offered, with an optional paid lunch session. That makes the session pattern a practical part of choosing this nursery.

Children's own choices sit alongside activities directed by adults. The EYFS approach brings together communication, physical development, relationships and early learning, rather than treating these as separate parts of a child's day. Indoor learning areas and outdoor provision both contribute, giving children different settings in which to practise their skills.

Topics include Marvellous Me and All Creatures Great and Small. These connect learning about themselves with discovering the natural world. Language, movement and creative work sit alongside number activities; the early years timetable includes daily teaching in mathematics, English and phonics. Little Wandle guides phonics planning, while nursery mathematics uses Master the Curriculum. Practical number exploration also extends into ordinary routines such as snack time.

In April 2024, children across the early years made good progress. Daily games and creative tasks developed number understanding, while outdoor minibeast hunts gave children discoveries to discuss. Adults showed children how to express themselves and encouraged them to do things independently and help one another. For parents, these examples connect early learning with practical activity and growing independence.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), induction is adapted to the individual child. This allows the start of nursery to take account of their needs. Early years support also includes a nurture group and individual help with phonics, mathematics and the small movements needed for tasks such as handling tools.

Seesaw and Target Tracker record children's experiences through photographs, comments and observations. Families can contribute achievements from home through Seesaw and WOW certificates, which are celebrated in class. This gives parents a way to contribute to the picture of their child's learning, rather than simply receiving updates.

An optional lunch session carries a charge. Alverton operates a nut-free rule, and packed lunches must exclude nuts. The school also participates in Operation Encompass, a partnership between education and police that enables prompt support for children experiencing domestic abuse.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through North Yorkshire's local authority admissions route, using the online preference form and meeting the normal deadline. Choosing Little Acorns therefore needs to be a decision about nursery provision itself; it cannot secure the next place.

Five morning sessions and five afternoon sessions are offered each week, each lasting three hours. Parents may choose up to five free sessions weekly from the term after their child's third birthday. Some children qualify for 30 hours of free nursery education. The optional lunch session is charged separately; contact the school for current charges.

Nursery applications use a form supplied by the school. For enquiries, email admin@alverton.n-yorks.sch.uk or telephone 01609 773524. Families can arrange an appointment to view the school, giving them an opportunity to see the provision before applying.