Little Lawrences at St Lawrence Primary School

Play, persistence and asking why give Little Lawrences its character. This is the on-site pre-school at St Lawrence CofE (Voluntary Aided) Primary School in Napton-on-the-Hill, welcoming children aged 3 or 4 who have not yet reached school age. Its school setting comes with a practical advantage: nursery hours can be supplemented by Larks ‘n’ Owls care.

The nursery aims to help children become ready and eager for school. Its emphasis is on developing the skills to take part in learning, with exploration and children’s own ideas central to that ambition.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven areas of learning. Language and communication, physical development, and social and emotional development form the foundations. Maths, literacy, expressive arts and understanding the world broaden the experience. For parents, that means preparation for school extends beyond early reading and number work to how children communicate, move and relate to others.

Little Lawrences aims to build learning through play and exploration. Active learning is intended to help children concentrate, persevere and keep trying; thinking critically means developing their own ideas, making connections and asking why. The emphasis is on the process of learning as well as the answer.

Children’s interests help shape planning across the early years, with staff observing their needs and individuality. Indoor and outdoor learning both form part of the provision. The nursery also describes continuous provision as a way to encourage imagination, creativity and curiosity.

Home-time conversations give parents a direct connection to the day: staff share activities children have taken part in. Early-years support also extends across lunchtime, so care is part of the provision alongside learning.

For children with additional needs, staff assess progress continually and discuss concerns with parents. Specialist advice may be sought with parental agreement. The school uses an assess, plan, do and review cycle; a Learning Action Plan sets out agreed support and is reviewed each term. This gives families a defined way to discuss targets and next steps.

School lunches are served in the hall, with fresh food prepared daily in a purpose-built kitchen; packed lunches are an alternative. The school excludes nuts and asks families to avoid fizzy drinks, sweets and chocolate bars in packed lunches. Meal choices are arranged in advance through School Money.

Reception admission is separate. Attending Little Lawrences does not guarantee a Reception place at St Lawrence. Families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline.

Preparing children for school is the nursery’s educational aim. That preparation should be understood separately from the allocation of a school place.

Weekday opening is 08:45 to 15:15 during term time. Larks ‘n’ Owls provides additional care from 07:30 and after school until 18:00, extending the available care around the nursery day.

For 3 and 4 year olds, funded provision is described as 570 hours annually, usually taken over 38 term-time weeks as 15 hours a week in five sessions lasting three hours each. Working families may qualify for 30 funded hours a week during term time. Funded entry after a child’s third birthday is subject to availability and begins in the following September, January or April.

Uniform is encouraged at Little Lawrences but optional. Applications use the nursery application link, and the office can arrange a visit by phone or email: 01926 812447 or office@stlawrenceprimaryschool.co.uk.