Lime Academy Orton Nursery Review

Sensory stories and ways to express a choice give Lime Academy Orton’s nursery its character. This is early education within a Peterborough special school serving children with severe or profound learning difficulties, rather than a conventional nursery offer. All pupils have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP), making each child’s individual needs central to the provision.

The school is registered to admit children aged two. In September 2024, there were no two-year-olds attending, so that registration should not be read as a description of the nursery cohort. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good following its inspection on 24 and 25 September 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school.

Play and practical experiences shape the early years approach. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision focuses on learning through play, with support adjusted to children’s needs and progress. Communication is a concrete part of that work: the school uses objects, photographs, symbols and touch cues alongside words and body language. Children have ways to express preferences beyond speech.

Stories are a useful example of how learning becomes accessible. In September 2024, adults introduced early years children to stories through sensory experiences that held their attention. Teaching also began with helping children understand social situations and develop habits for learning. These are practical foundations for participating alongside others.

The Pre-Formal Pathway uses learning involving several senses, with individual targets connected to EHCP outcomes. Familiar adults interpret communication for learners whose communication is not yet intentional. The emphasis is on recognising a child’s response and building from it.

Physical development has a tangible resource: an on-site Hydrotherapy Pool. Access forms part of pupils’ individual curriculum and relates to physical development targets in their EHCP. It is an individual arrangement, rather than a promise that every nursery child swims.

Getting to know a child starts with families and other professionals. On entry, the school brings their information together to understand the learner’s characteristics. That gives parents a role in explaining their child’s needs before teaching is planned around them.

Home/School Diaries provide two-way contact between families and staff. Parents can pass on helpful information, while staff share what is happening at school. Medical welfare officers also work with health professionals; Medical Tracker records medication use and accidents or incidents. Medication requires written parental consent.

Meals can accommodate pupils’ dietary needs, and families may send a healthy packed lunch. Fresh fruit, drinks and mid-morning snacks are available daily; water accompanies lunch whichever meal option a child takes. This gives families a choice while keeping dietary requirements part of the care arrangements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the appropriate admissions process. At this special school, admissions involve the Peterborough Local Authority admissions panel and Lime Trust. Questions about EHCP assessments go to Peterborough’s Statutory Assessment and Monitoring (SAM) Team. Keep the placement decision separate from the child’s experience of nursery.

School-day arrangements begin with registration in a team base from 8.50am and finish at 3.30pm. These are school timings. Uniform is voluntary, and practical clothing supports work on dressing skills.

For general enquiries, contact ortonoffice@limetrust.org or telephone 01733 391800; visits can be arranged. Local authority transport depends on eligibility under its transport policy, with collection times communicated by the transport department. The family liaison team can support an online transport application.