Skelton Primary School Nursery Review

Daily climbing, songs and stories give Skelton’s nursery a distinctly active shape. This is Foundation Stage 1, the nursery provision within Skelton Primary School on Station Lane. Children can start in the term following their third birthday, with morning and afternoon sessions offering two ways to fit nursery into family life.

The early years judgement was Expected standard in Ofsted’s June 2026 inspection. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Adults helped children settle, develop confidence and become more independent, giving the nursery day a foundation in relationships as well as learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning through play with activities guided by adults. At Skelton, children investigate and explore while building language, early literacy and mathematical understanding. Adults extend conversations with questions and introduce vocabulary through play. Stories feature regularly, so listening and talking sit alongside the beginnings of reading.

Numbers have practical uses here. Children count snack portions and vote for stories, while labelled resources help them recognise quantities, colours and sizes. Visual prompts support choosing and returning equipment independently. These routines turn early maths into something children can use, rather than an isolated task.

Charanga gives music a recognisable structure. Its Listen and Respond and Games activities include familiar songs, rhymes, body percussion and simple instruments. Nursery learning includes remembering short songs and controlling untuned percussion. Singing supports language; moving to a beat develops listening and coordination.

Outside, children have daily opportunities to run, slide and climb. Climbing equipment is a concrete part of the provision, and sensible footwear matters for taking part. Indoor and outdoor learning supported children’s physical, social and communication development in June 2026. Movement is part of learning here.

Settling starts before the first session. Staff arrange a home visit shortly before a child’s start date, followed by brief visits with a parent to become familiar with staff, surroundings and routes. The start date is agreed with the family, making the introduction a sequence of manageable steps.

In June 2026, early years staff understood children’s development and worked with parents on learning and wellbeing. Children with SEND received help to participate alongside other children. The school’s special educational needs coordinator oversees support, including communication, learning, emotional and physical needs. Families can arrange discussions about provision and help from services such as speech therapy.

For everyday contact, parents can speak to nursery staff once the queue has cleared, or use the school office. School catering is provided by Aspens Services, with a rotating menu and provision for dietary requirements. Families needing a special diet should return the relevant form to school; this gives the catering team the information needed to plan.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, meeting its deadline. Redcar and Cleveland Admissions Team handles requests from Reception onwards.

Preparation for the change begins in the summer term. Nursery staff help children take part in shared stories and activities and experience staying for lunch. These experiences introduce the longer school day. They support familiarity and confidence, while the Reception application remains a separate process.

Morning nursery runs from 8:30am to 11:30am; the afternoon session runs from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. To register a child’s details, parents can visit the office. Nursery enquiries can also go to office@skeltonprimaryschool.co.uk or 01287 650689, and school visits can be arranged by appointment.

At handover, parents should hold their child’s hand while waiting for the gate and pass them safely to staff. Earrings prevent children using the climbing equipment, so clothing choices have a direct effect on outdoor participation.

Building move. A move to the new school building is planned for summer 2027, with two additional moving days to be scheduled. Families joining during that year should allow for changes to familiar routes and the school calendar.