Halton Holegate CofE Primary School Nursery Review

A mobile classroom, an outdoor classroom and surrounding gardens give Halton Holegate’s early years provision a distinctly rural setting. Built in 2023, these spaces put indoor learning alongside room to explore outside. The nursery belongs to Halton Holegate CofE Primary School on Station Road in Halton Holegate, near Spilsby.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 30 and 31 January 2024. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection. In January 2024, nursery groups were very small, and children’s learning activities were carefully connected: a useful combination for families looking for a small group with purposeful play.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes concrete form here through topics that connect making, language and imaginative play. In January 2024, the nursery’s On the Beach topic included postcard writing, kite making and pretending to serve customers in a beach cafe. These are different ways into the same theme. Children could use writing for a purpose, make something to explore and practise conversation through taking orders.

Sound work also became a hands-on activity, with children searching among pebbles and shells for letter sounds. Their enthusiasm was evident in wanting to continue. The example gives parents a clearer picture of early learning than a subject list: play and teaching were connected rather than treated as separate parts of the day.

Books have a place from nursery onwards, with storytelling and reading across different genres. The school uses Penpals for handwriting across its handwriting teaching, providing a common approach as children develop their skills.

Outside, the fields and gardens surrounding the early years classrooms extend the space for exploration. The outdoor classroom adds a specific teaching space beyond the indoor room, giving outdoor learning a place of its own.

Curriculum development. In January 2024, some curriculum changes, including those in early years, were still being implemented. Further work was needed to make children’s knowledge develop consistently over time. Families should weigh the engaging nursery activities alongside that unfinished work.

Relationships were a strength of early years in January 2024: children played together happily and related positively to staff and one another. For a young child, those everyday interactions matter alongside the learning activities. Behaviour routines also began in early years, giving children an introduction to the expectations of group life.

The team includes a nursery childcare assistant, while the school has a SENDCO and a designated safeguarding lead. Safeguarding arrangements include suitability checks through DBS for adults with unsupervised access to children, including volunteers, plus ongoing training for governors and staff. These establish responsibilities around children’s care and protection.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions; enjoying the nursery’s classrooms, staff and learning activities does not itself secure the next place.

To enquire, contact the school office on 01790 752575 or email enquiries@haltonholegate.lincs.sch.uk. Visits can be arranged by telephone, giving families an opportunity to look around the school and its early years spaces before choosing the nursery. The address is Station Road, Halton Holegate, Spilsby, Lincolnshire PE23 5PB.