Reeth Community Primary School Nursery

Giant construction pieces outdoors and a reading corner indoors give Reeth’s youngest children two very different ways to explore. The nursery is based at Reeth Community Primary School on Healaugh Road and accepts children from age three. It is the school’s own provision, with nursery admissions handled by the school office.

Families can choose sessions to fit their circumstances, with up to 30 hours of provision each week. That flexibility is a practical attraction for parents who want to build a nursery pattern around family life.

Language learning combines activities children choose with experiences directed by adults. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides the approach to early reading. In nursery, the foundations include poems, stories, action rhymes and listening activities, including oral blending: putting spoken sounds together. These give children practice in listening and using language before the next stage of reading.

Books also have a place beyond organised activities. Adults read to children daily in early years, and children can use the reading corner during their free-flow time, with its selection refreshed regularly. Mark making extends across the learning areas, while children are encouraged to talk and write about their interests. Communication and literacy, the early years curriculum areas described here, connect spoken language with those first attempts at writing.

Outside, a play house and giant construction pieces provide opportunities for building play. Indoors and outdoors offer different kinds of activity. In March 2023, early years children enjoyed working out new words through sounding and blending, and followed established routines.

Respectful play starts early here. In March 2023, children in early years played and interacted considerately with one another. Alongside the clear routines, that gives parents a useful picture of the social expectations surrounding their child’s learning.

Safeguarding. In March 2023, a school-wide concern was that some staff lacked clarity about local risks affecting pupils and how to recognise associated vulnerable behaviours.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities, the school works with external agencies, including YES at Arete Learning Trust through Richmond Secondary School. The special educational needs coordinator works across both federation sites, so support involves a shared team structure.

Additional needs. In March 2023, the school needed greater precision in understanding some pupils’ needs and faster identification and support. The school-wide improvement action also required leaders’ and teachers’ subject knowledge to match pupils’ needs more closely. These concerns matter for families whose child may need additional help; they were not nursery-specific judgements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through North Yorkshire Council’s normal school admissions route, by the council’s normal deadline. The school manages nursery places; the council handles Reception applications. Treat these as two separate decisions when planning your child’s next step.

Funded places begin in the term following a child’s third birthday. The universal entitlement is 15 hours weekly; additional hours can come through the extended entitlement arrangements or paid sessions. Provision totals up to 30 hours each week, with parents choosing sessions to suit their circumstances.

Paid sessions can also support a start at age three before the next term begins, or provide hours beyond funded provision. Contact the school office to register interest and discuss the session pattern. Refer to the school for current charges. Tours can be arranged through direct contact, giving families an opportunity to see the setting before choosing it.