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Nursery at Childhaven Community Nursery 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Beach schools, a garden used in all weathers and play across two floors of a Victorian building give Childhaven its character. At Belgrave Crescent in Scarborough, this community nursery school combines provision for two- to four-year-olds with an under-two group called Penguins. The youngest children have their own indoor space and outdoor area, allowing their routines to develop separately from those of older children.
Qualified teachers work alongside higher level and advanced teaching assistants. The team includes specialisms in speech and language, SEND and supporting children who use English as an additional language. For families, that brings several kinds of expertise into the nursery day.
Choice shapes the sessions. Indoor and outdoor play are available from the start, with children gathering later for stories, songs and familiar routines. Milk or water and a healthy snack are offered during play. This gives children room to follow an interest before coming together as a group.
The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, covers learning through movement, relationships and communication as well as early reading, number, creativity and understanding the world. Childhaven balances activities chosen by children with those led by adults. Its Curiosity Approach accreditation sits alongside this framework; open-ended resources and questions invite children to explore ideas rather than complete a fixed task.
Beach schools extend learning beyond the building. Jabadao brings developmental movement play, while nature club involves a resident gardener. A music and movement club works with the Stephen Joseph Theatre and adults with dementia. These are distinct experiences, giving children different opportunities to move, investigate and connect with other people.
In June 2024, learning included revisiting versions of familiar stories and practising mathematical language through playdough activities. Adults adjusted activities to children's interests and helped skills develop in stages. Independence also appeared in everyday routines: children fetched lunch plates and poured drinks themselves.
A key person works with each family, beginning with a home visit. Parents contribute observations from home to OPAL, the observation of play and learning approach, and discuss progress through short meetings and spotlight assessments. Learning Stories capture significant moments; an app allows families and staff to exchange photographs. Communication therefore includes both planned discussions and everyday examples of learning.
For under-twos, settling continues with parent-and-child time in the nursery, followed by a pace suited to the child. A consistent small team supports the key person. Sleeping and eating follow individual needs, and meals accommodate weaning stages and dietary requirements. Approaching two, children make visits to their next group and meet their new key person, with the move planned alongside parents.
Teatime includes a cooked meal, shared with staff in small family groups, and continued play. Menus are shared weekly and special diets can be accommodated. In June 2024, children with SEND could use a sensory room or quieter space, with smaller-scale learning opportunities and additional adult help. Safeguarding arrangements were effective at the 11 June 2024 inspection.
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.
Transition support is a separate matter. In the final term, staff share assessments with receiving primary schools and encourage their staff to visit children at Childhaven during summer. A transition profile is shared with parents before being passed to the new school. This helps the next school understand the child; it does not secure admission.
Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am, and afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Collection doors open during the final ten minutes of each session. Families should tell staff about delays or a different person collecting their child.
The under-two provision operates during term time. Eligible working parents of children over nine months can use 30 funded hours weekly across sessions for 38 weeks annually, with additional meal and snack charges on funded sessions. For older children, 15 or 30 funded hours can be used across sessions, with a separate snack charge. Contact the school for current charges.
Red and navy uniform is optional. To arrange a look around, call the office on 01723 373231.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee admission, and families need to make a separate Reception application through the normal process.
Each child has a key person, with a home visit before starting. Under-twos then spend time in the setting with a parent and settle at an individual pace.
Children can use the garden in all weathers. Activities also include beach schools and nature club with a resident gardener; under-twos have a dedicated outdoor area.
Under-two meals are freshly cooked on site, eaten in small groups and adapted for dietary requirements and stages of weaning. Eating and sleeping follow individual needs.
No. The red and navy blue nursery uniform is optional.
