Seathorne Primary Academy Nursery Review

Red Squirrels puts children's interests at the centre of nursery learning, with play-led teaching alongside short daily sessions exploring speech sounds. This is Seathorne Primary Academy's nursery for children aged 3 to 4 in Winthorpe, Skegness. Capacity is up to 48 places, based on every child using the 15-hour offer. That qualification matters when considering attendance patterns.

Children can begin in the term following their third birthday. A nursery lead works with supporting staff, while the approach gives adults time to respond to children's play rather than organise the whole day around predetermined activities.

The nursery largely uses In the Moment planning. Seathorne believes children learn best through their own interests, so adults engage with them during play and use those exchanges to develop learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach connects play with developing skills for school and beyond. For parents, the emphasis is on what a child is exploring and how an adult can extend it.

Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics adds a daily focus on listening. Short sessions explore rhyme, syllables and the sounds within words, including their opening sounds. Nursery teaching concentrates on sounds rather than written letter shapes. Sharing stories, talking about pictures and singing rhymes are also encouraged at home; families can borrow books to share with their children.

Indoor and outdoor environments both support learning through play. In June 2024, Ofsted found that assessment shaped early-years planning and that children took an active part in learning suited to their interests and needs. Some children in the early years also had gaps in their learning. However, outdoor learning needed further development, especially opportunities supporting physical development. This is a material consideration for families who place a high value on active outdoor play.

Settling comes before allocating a key worker. Before a child starts, the team likes to arrange a home visit to become familiar with the child and family. Once children have had time to settle, a focus child meeting brings parents and staff together to discuss their next steps. Staff are also available at collection and drop-off, giving families a regular opportunity for conversation.

For children needing additional support, the academy's staged SEND approach involves parents in discussions and reviews. Families can raise concerns with the class teacher, who considers classroom adjustments or adult-led interventions. Progress is monitored for a minimum of six weeks before a further discussion with parents. Other inclusion team members can become involved where needed. This gives families a defined process for raising concerns and reviewing the response.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Lincolnshire County Council's admissions process, submitting it by 5.00pm on 15 January before September entry. Treat this as a separate step, even when your child already attends Red Squirrels.

Places operate during term time. Attendance options include mornings, afternoons, two and a half days, or full-time attendance; families discuss their preferred pattern during their first visit. The funded offer includes 15 hours per week, with 30 hours available to eligible families.

To apply, arrange an in-person nursery visit through the main school office. Visits usually take place after school in term time, although a daytime visit may be possible. Afterwards, families complete the admission paperwork and relevant funding forms, with help from staff. Contact the office on 01754 764689 or email admin@seathorneprimaryacademy.org. The nursery is at Count Alan Road, Winthorpe, Skegness, PE25 1HB.