Priory Lane Community School Nursery Review

Caterpillars gives Priory Lane’s nursery its own identity within the school’s Foundation Stage. An early years practitioner, teaching staff and support staff make up the FS1 team, with an EYFS phase leader in the wider leadership structure. This is a nursery within a primary school on Priory Lane in Scunthorpe.

Early years provision was judged Good at the Ofsted inspection on 3 and 4 October 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Activities were adapted to children’s learning needs, with writing introduced according to readiness: a useful emphasis for families who want development to guide the pace.

Conversation, stories and imaginative play give the early years curriculum its shape. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) links seven areas of development, bringing physical skills, language and relationships together with early literacy, maths, creative expression and understanding the world. In parent terms, learning extends beyond letters and numbers to talking, moving and playing alongside others.

Adults read to children and introduce vocabulary through storytelling and role play. Rhymes, songs, poems and non-fiction add different ways to explore language. Read, Write Inc. is the named phonics programme across EYFS, connecting letters with sounds. In October 2023, early years writing activities started with familiar sounds and used templates to help children work towards words. Readiness mattered.

Play and games take place indoors and outside, supporting balance, coordination and strength. Exploring materials, making art, dancing and playing music bring movement and imagination into learning. Mathematics includes number patterns alongside shape, space and measures, giving children opportunities to explain their thinking as well as try things out.

Learning to manage feelings and friendships is part of the EYFS approach. Adults model cooperation, help children deal with disagreements and support them to wait, persist and work towards simple goals. Guidance on healthy eating and personal care, including toothbrushing, connects learning with growing independence.

A Learning Log in the Home/School Diary gives families a view of that week’s learning. ParentMail carries school letters by email and text, with paper copies obtainable through the office. For additional needs, parents can arrange an appointment with the school SENCO through the office. Family support also includes Early Help and access to the School Nurse and Children’s Centres, providing routes to help beyond the classroom.

A separate application. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline. North Lincolnshire Council accepts applications online or by telephone on 01724 297000. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Three nursery patterns give families different lengths of day: a morning session from 8.45am to 11.45am, an afternoon from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, and a full day from 8.45am to 3.30pm. The full day spans the interval between the shorter sessions, which matters when planning collection.

Contact the school office on 01724 844812 or email admin.priorylane@northlincs.gov.uk for enquiries. School uniform includes a royal blue jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan, a white or pale blue top and grey or black school bottoms. Label clothing so it can be returned to the right child.