Linaker Primary School Nursery Review

Tower building, den making and storytelling give Linaker’s nursery its character: children have room to explore, with communication and language taking centre stage. Places begin from age 3. The nursery forms part of Linaker Primary School on Sefton Street in Southport, where classes, including Nursery, have up to 30 children.

For the current school, there is no Ofsted graded rating yet.

Free-flow learning lets children move between learning spaces and follow their interests. A child might experiment with water, construct a vehicle or make a den; another might choose instruments or arrange materials into temporary artwork. These are opportunities to investigate, make choices and express ideas.

Language runs through that exploring time. Children can invent and perform stories, send messages and share books, while towers, numbers and shapes bring construction and mathematical exploration together. The nursery places conversation and language development first, giving children reasons to talk about what they are making and doing.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together physical development, relationships and emotions, communication, early literacy and mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world. In parent terms, learning includes how children talk, move and relate to others as well as their first encounters with words and numbers. Alongside this, Linaker’s Flourish curriculum aims to develop curiosity, creativity and vocabulary, with reading and mathematics receiving particular emphasis.

A nursery class teacher works with supporting staff. Parents can discuss their child’s progress with the class teacher, providing a direct route for sharing questions about learning and development.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the class teacher is the first contact; the SEND coordinator can also be reached through the school office. Where a child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, the coordinator plans with the family and external agencies before admission. SEN Support Plans are reviewed with parents each half term, so support includes regular opportunities to discuss targets and progress.

Food preparation has a physical base within the school: a purpose-built kitchen cooks children’s lunches fresh each day, with service across two dining rooms. This describes the school’s meal arrangements rather than an entitlement to a nursery lunch.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Sefton’s Citizen Portal by the deadline for their entry year, even when their child already attends Linaker’s nursery. The local authority allocates places.

For the September 2025 intake, nursery attendance carried no priority: the criteria covered care status, siblings, eligible children of staff and distance. That cycle’s application deadline was 15 January 2025.

Preparation for children joining Reception is separate from allocation. June and July taster sessions introduce the classroom, staff and future classmates; an induction meeting explains routines and gives parents space to discuss settling. During the summer term, the Reception teacher also visits incoming children’s nurseries and/or homes. Nursery staff identify children who may need further support on the move to Reception, helping the receiving staff prepare.

Contact the school office on 01704 532343 for nursery enquiries. Early years visits can be arranged through the office and early years leader, or through a form followed by an office callback to organise a tour. This gives families a chance to meet staff and explore the provision with their child.