Mill Lane Primary School Nursery Review

Pairing wellington boots and listening to Goldilocks and the Three Bears give Mill Lane’s nursery learning a practical, story-led character. Familiar objects become an introduction to mathematics; stories give children words and sounds to explore. These were concrete examples of nursery learning in May 2023.

The Nursery class sits within Mill Lane Primary School’s Early Years Foundation Stage, alongside Mill Lane Minis, its provision for two-year-olds. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 4 and 5 May 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school.

Play has an active teaching role here. Adults join activities children choose as well as those staff plan, demonstrating tasks, asking questions and helping children express their ideas. Staff use children’s interests and what they can already do to decide their next learning steps. For parents, this means a child’s chosen activity can also become an opportunity to develop language or practise a skill.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together communication, movement and personal development with early reading, mathematics, creative work and learning about the world. Mill Lane builds its curriculum using that framework alongside Development Matters and Birth to Five Matters. The emphasis is on building from children’s existing experiences.

Half-term themes include Past and Present and All About Me. A related book becomes the focus for each fortnight, while classroom activities connect the theme with children’s own interests. There is a common thread to explore, with room for individual choices.

In May 2023, nursery children learnt rhymes, heard stories and explored letters and their sounds. Adults helped them understand new vocabulary. Matching pairs of wellington boots also brought mathematical thinking into an everyday task. Learning starts with things young children can recognise and handle.

Routines begin in Nursery. In May 2023, children were developing independence and persistence with adult support, alongside expectations for learning and behaviour. These habits matter beyond any single activity: they help children participate and keep trying.

For the move from home into nursery, the early years approach draws on information from parents and other professionals to adapt learning to the child. This gives families’ knowledge of their child a role in planning support.

School-wide SEND arrangements include individual SEN Support Plans, reviewed each term with families, and parental consent before a child joins the SEND register. Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists are among the external professionals involved. These are school-wide arrangements rather than a separate nursery service.

Breakfast is another school-wide provision. The Magic Breakfast partnership supplies a morning choice of cereal, toast or a bagel, alongside fruit and milk, at no charge. Breakfast starts at 8.45am, Monday to Friday.

Reception needs a separate application. A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Mill Lane’s Reception class. Reception applications go through the local authority; Stockton-on-Tees residents use the Stockton portal and must submit their application by the closing date.

Curriculum continuity is a separate matter. Learning is planned across Nursery and Reception, and staff use information from families and professionals to support the change of class. That supports the child’s learning journey; it does not secure a school place.

Nursery provision offers 15 hours each week, or 30 hours for eligible children. The school office handles nursery admissions and enquiries on 01642 860055, with enquiries also accepted in person.

The school’s uniform policy expects pupils to wear uniform. Options include grey or black bottoms, a white top and a school cardigan or sweatshirt. Second-hand uniform is available through the school, giving families another way to obtain clothing.