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Nursery at Stalmine Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play with continuous access to outdoor space gives Stalmine’s pre-school its character. Nursery children share the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) class with Reception, so this is an introduction to life within the school rather than a separate nursery setting.
There are up to 10 nursery children per session. Children can join Nursery 1 in the term of their third birthday, then move into Nursery 2 for ages 3–4. The younger intake is limited to a small number of rising threes. For families, the important distinction is between that session capacity and the shared class: nursery children learn alongside older early-years children.
Children’s interests help shape the learning. Stalmine aims to follow what individual children are curious about, with play accounting for most learning and continuous access to the learning areas, including substantial outdoor provision. That makes outdoor exploration part of the session’s everyday possibilities.
EYFS brings learning, development and care together for children under five. Children investigate their surroundings through observation, questions and problem-solving in the outside learning area and Forest School. They explore how living things change with the seasons. Here, creative experiences and structured play are supported by an early-years specialist teacher and practitioner. The shared Class 1 also has an outdoor area, giving the nursery a physical place within the school’s early-years provision.
Stories and playing together are concrete strengths in the early-years experience. At the inspection on 25 January 2023, Ofsted found that teachers brought enthusiasm to story sessions and that children explored and played cooperatively. These are useful foundations for enjoying books and learning to share activities with others.
Learning sequence. In January 2023, the steps connecting early-years knowledge with later learning needed further development in some subjects. The improvement action was to strengthen subject leaders’ understanding of those early foundations. Parents should weigh the positive findings about stories and cooperative play alongside this curriculum concern.
An early-years teacher leads the shared class, supported by teaching assistants qualified at Level 3. Teaching-assistant cover runs Monday to Thursday with a different assistant on Friday. This gives families a clear picture of the team structure across the week.
Parents can contact teaching staff through Dojo or email to share concerns. The school’s SEND arrangements involve families and staff in recognising needs early, with advice from an educational psychologist and links to speech therapy and health services. Those connections provide routes for discussing support beyond the classroom.
For children choosing a school lunch, meals are prepared on site by Lancashire Catering Service. Parents book meals and select options through ParentPay. An all-day nursery place includes the lunchtime session without an extra session charge; a school meal is charged separately unless the child qualifies for free school meals.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the admission criteria. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception process with Lancashire County Council, meeting the deadline for their entry year.
Priority rests on looked-after children and qualifying previously looked-after children, accepted exceptional medical, social or welfare circumstances, siblings attending when the child starts, and then distance from home. Sharing an early-years class can provide familiarity with the setting, but it does not change those admission rules.
Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoons run from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Families can also choose an all-day place. Funded entitlement, paid sessions or a combination can be used, allowing families to organise attendance around their entitlement and childcare needs.
All 3- and 4-year-olds have a funded entitlement of 15 hours per week; eligible working parents can receive 30 hours per week, subject to eligibility conditions. Funded hours are typically provided for 38 weeks of the year, though providers may spread them over more weeks. Confirm how the school schedules funded hours. Ask the school for current charges. Nursery applications go directly to the school office, which supplies an application pack. Enquiries can be made on 01253 700284 or through the online contact form, and visits can be arranged with the office.
Children can start in the term they turn three, with a small number of rising-three places. Nursery 2 is for children aged 3–4.
Morning, afternoon and all-day places are offered. Morning sessions are 8.45am–11.45am and afternoon sessions are 12.15pm–3.15pm.
Yes. Children have continuous access to the learning areas, including substantial outdoor provision.
The lunchtime session has no additional session charge. A school meal costs extra unless the child is entitled to free school meals.
No. It neither guarantees a place nor confers priority. Families need a separate Reception application through Lancashire County Council’s normal process.
