Althorpe and Keadby Primary School Nursery

Fairy dens in Bramblebank Wood and familiar stories in the book corner give this nursery its character: learning through play, conversation and practical exploration. Althorpe and Keadby Primary School's early-years provision includes two-year-olds, alongside its Nursery class, on Station Road in Keadby.

The school aims to help young children become independent, curious and confident with other people. There is a specific inspection strength behind that ambition. Ofsted judged the school's early-years provision Good on 11 and 12 October 2023; within that provision, two-year-olds received effective encouragement to expand their speech, and their learning and care needs were met well.

Play connects the early years foundation stage (EYFS) curriculum here: children develop language, explore their surroundings and practise the physical skills needed for writing. Dough Disco and Squiggle While You Wiggle bring movement into that preparation. The point is to build control before expecting children to communicate with a pencil.

Books provide a daily thread. Adults share stories, poetry and information books, while wordless books invite children to explain pictures and imagine what happens next. A text stays in use for a week before moving into the book corner, giving children something familiar to revisit independently. From age two, preparation for phonics develops listening and sound memory. Nursery children practise blending sounds aloud and recognising starting sounds; letter games are introduced when children are developmentally ready.

Maths combines play with teaching inputs during the week, supported by Mastering Number and White Rose Maths programmes. Science begins with simple questions about animals, their habitats and materials. Exploring whether something feels soft or hard makes an abstract idea tangible.

Tuesday is Bramblebank Wood day for Nursery. Activities include creating creatures, constructing fairy dens and cooking marshmallows over a fire. Elsewhere, early-years geography uses the nursery, school grounds and woodland, with maps, stories and observations of weather and seasonal change connecting learning to children's surroundings.

Curriculum sequencing. In October 2023, the older early-years curriculum needed clearer learning priorities and a better sequence. Some activities and resources failed to engage every child in purposeful learning. This matters alongside the positive findings about two-year-olds: the strengths and concerns applied to different parts of early years.

Nursery staffing combines a teacher with early-years practitioners. For children with additional or medical needs, the school's inclusion work starts with two-year-olds and involves parents in planning support. Links include the Health Visiting Team, Hearing Team and ASET, the Autism Spectrum Education Team. Families can contact the SEND team at Sendco@akprimary.co.uk.

Communication with teaching staff can happen through Seesaw or a message left with the office. Longer conversations can be arranged through the office, giving parents a route for discussing concerns beyond a quick exchange.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the normal deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and securing a school place as two separate decisions.

Pips, the provision for two-year-olds, runs from 8.30am to 11.30am. Report an absence to the office before 8.30am; children arriving late for nursery sessions should enter through the office.

For Bramblebank Wood activities, children need clothes that can get dirty. Nursery enquiries go through the school office on 01724782344 or admin.althorpekeadby@northlincs.gov.uk. The school welcomes visits.