Eppleby Forcett Church of England Primary School Nursery

Two-year-olds have a place in Eppleby Forcett’s early years provision, on a site that brings together the youngest children in its partnership with Trinity Academy Middleton Tyas. This is the nursery at Eppleby Forcett Church of England Primary School, also known as Trinity Academy Eppleby Forcett, in Eppleby, near Richmond.

The partnership operates across two sites, with pre-school and early years children based at Eppleby Forcett. For families choosing a nursery attached to a school, that organisation is a defining practical feature: the nursery belongs within the school’s early years provision. Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 29 and 30 November 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Learning new words was a clear priority in November 2023. Adults placed emphasis on developing children’s vocabulary, giving language a prominent role in early learning. For a parent, this makes the interaction around an activity as relevant as the activity itself: the focus is on what children can understand and express.

Activities were planned with a learning purpose. Leaders also considered how early years learning would prepare children for the subjects they would meet later in school. The emphasis was therefore on laying foundations, with purposeful experiences during the early years rather than treating play as an unrelated part of the day.

There was a limitation alongside those strengths. In November 2023, adults sometimes failed to take opportunities to develop children’s learning further. Purposeful planning did not invariably translate into extending an activity. This matters when judging the nursery day: both the planned experience and the adult response to children’s interests deserve attention.

Relationships with adults were a strength in early years in November 2023. Children related positively to staff, while established expectations and routines supported their behaviour. That combination matters for young children learning how to take part in a group: relationships provide reassurance, and routines give the day a recognisable structure.

Children also played together cooperatively. The evidence connects this with the routines and expectations adults had established, making social learning part of the everyday experience. For families, playing alongside others and learning to participate together are useful aspects of nursery life in their own right.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing a nursery place and applying for Reception as separate decisions; attendance should not be taken as an assurance of admission.

The school is in Eppleby, Richmond, DL11 7AY. For nursery enquiries, telephone 01325718298.

In November 2023, childcare before and after school operated at both partnership sites and was run by the trust. This is relevant to families planning care around the school day, but does not establish that a nursery booking includes those sessions.