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Nursery at Staithes, Seton Community 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.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, conversation and the coast give Seton’s nursery its character. Children learn within a purpose-built Foundation unit shared with Reception, bringing the nursery into the school’s early years provision rather than placing it apart. Admission for three-year-olds is subject to space, with a waiting list when the class is full. Families seeking a place for a two-year-old should confirm current arrangements with the early years team.
Ofsted rated the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection of 19 and 20 March 2024. That judgement covers early years across the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The nursery’s teaching team combines a qualified early years teacher with teaching assistants trained in early years.
Conversation is a clear teaching priority. In March 2024, adults demonstrated vocabulary and ways of speaking, while children showed enthusiasm for learning and made exceptional progress across early years. Visits included the theatre and Castle Howard. Those experiences give young children something concrete to explore and talk about.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) here takes a practical, playful form. Adults plan opportunities to investigate mathematics indoors and outside, with sensory exploration and number-writing rhymes among the early years activities. Play provides a way into mathematical ideas, rather than making learning depend only on written tasks.
Beach School extends learning into the coastal surroundings, including Staithes beach. Sessions respond to children’s curiosity, the group, tides and weather. Across the school, activities include examining seasonal changes, collecting litter and exploring coastal habitats. The March 2024 findings specifically linked Beach School with children of all ages learning about teamwork, perseverance and staying safe. The coast is a learning space with responsibilities attached.
Parents contribute knowledge of children’s interests, experiences and achievements to Class 1. They are also invited to activities and special events. This gives families a role in shaping adults’ understanding of each child, alongside the nursery’s trained teaching team.
For additional needs, the school has a SEND coordinator and invites families to reviews of progress. Telephone conversations and meetings provide further opportunities to discuss concerns. Seton aims to include children in its activities and values progress across different areas of learning.
Fresh school meals are cooked each day, and families can discuss special requests with the catering team. The school also takes account of pupils’ food allergies. For a child staying over lunchtime, food needs belong in the conversation about their daily care.
Attending Seton’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through North Yorkshire’s primary admissions route and meet the normal deadline. Treat nursery attendance and the school-place application as two separate decisions.
Sharing the Foundation unit makes Reception part of the nursery’s everyday surroundings. Separately, new school pupils are offered a full-day visit in the preceding term, with an opportunity for parents to join their child for lunch. This introduces people and routines before school starts; it does not secure admission.
Morning nursery runs from 8.45am to 11.45am. Lunch occupies 11.45am to 12.30pm, followed by the afternoon session from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Full-time nursery places are limited, and some are fully funded. During the summer term before Reception, the school offers all children 30 hours of free nursery provision, subject to space.
Childcare hours. The school’s free wraparound provision serves Reception to Year 6. Families choosing nursery sessions should plan their childcare around the nursery timetable.
Visits can be arranged through school reception on 01947 840257 or admin@seton.n-yorks.sch.uk. Nursery enquiries can also go to the early years team.
Three-year-olds can join if space permits, with a waiting list when the class is full. For a two-year-old, confirm current arrangements with the early years team.
Morning runs from 8.45am to 11.45am, lunch from 11.45am to 12.30pm, and afternoon from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
A qualified early years teacher works with teaching assistants who have early years training.
No. Families must apply separately through North Yorkshire’s primary admissions route by the normal deadline.
Contact school reception on 01947 840257 or email admin@seton.n-yorks.sch.uk.
