Long Sutton County Primary School Nursery Review

Sound walks, a vegetable patch and a play area of its own give Long Sutton’s nursery a distinct identity within the primary school. The nursery class is called Goldcrests and sits at the front of the school. It serves children whose third birthday falls between 1 September and 31 August of the academic year.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 26 and 27 November 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Learning combines activities directed by adults with play shaped by children’s choices and interests. The nursery aims to use conversations between children and staff to develop vocabulary, demonstrate thinking and deepen understanding. This gives everyday talk a clear educational purpose.

Early reading starts with listening. Little Wandle Revised Letters and Sounds provides the phonics approach, with nursery children exploring Phase 1 through rhymes, games involving sounds and listening walks. The emphasis is on noticing and distinguishing sounds as preparation for reading.

The nursery’s SPINE activities connect stories, practical exploration and independence. Books include The Gruffalo, Shark in the park and Goldilocks. Counting vocabulary reaches numbers to 20, alongside comparisons of size and weight and words describing position. These give children language for describing what they notice and do.

Outdoors, activities include making sandcastles, assembling a nature table and tending a vegetable patch. Two weeks wild involves a different nature activity each day during that programme. The nursery’s own play area gives outdoor learning a physical base; planned experiences also include a library visit and a fire-engine encounter.

A nursery manager forms part of the Goldcrests team. The nursery places importance on relationships and staff getting to understand each child through conversation and shared activity. In November 2024, children in early years settled promptly and showed enthusiasm for learning, including play in which they took on the role of teaching others.

Independence has practical targets: children practise putting on coats and wellies, washing their hands and communicating toilet needs. These are useful steps towards managing daily care themselves. At school level, a SENCo and family liaison role provide routes for discussing additional needs and family support.

Food preparation takes place in the school kitchen, where hot meals are cooked fresh each day. The school operates a nut-free rule, including lunchboxes and treats. Families therefore need to check food packaging before sending anything in.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the school’s oversubscription criteria. Families must make a separate Reception application through Lincolnshire County Council’s admissions process. The criteria cover children in care or previously in care, siblings, nearest-school status and distance. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.

Morning sessions run from 9:00am to 12:00pm, afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and whole-day sessions from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Nursery breakfast club runs from 8:00am to 9:00am. These options allow families to choose between a shorter session and a day spanning both morning and afternoon.

For nursery enquiries, email nursery@ls.keystonemat.org or call 01406 363381. Registration involves an application, a booking form and a contract, alongside an All About Me form and parental declaration. A school visit can also be arranged by telephone.