Topcliffe CofE Academy Nursery Review

Loose parts become castles, books spark activities and French rhymes introduce another language: Seedlings gives nursery learning a distinctly practical shape. This is Topcliffe CofE Academy’s nursery class, catering for children aged 2 to 5 within the primary school. Independence is an explicit aim, with children encouraged to try things for themselves throughout their activities.

At the Ofsted inspection on 23 and 29 April 2025, early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery. The nursery-specific findings give it substance: the youngest children developed independence quickly, while adults used questions to extend their understanding.

Play does the teaching here. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes practical form through conversation, stories, movement and making things. Circle time gives children space to explore bigger questions; real objects invite investigation. Indoors and outdoors, loose parts and natural construction materials let children invent a farm, a house or a castle. The materials leave room for their own ideas rather than a single finished product.

Books connect with other activities. Dinosaur Roar, Handa’s Surprise and Each Peach Pear Plum are among the stories used, alongside daily rhymes and regular French rhymes. These give children repeated opportunities to hear and use language. In April 2025, vocabulary development was a clear priority, with staff questioning children to deepen their thinking. One telling example involved cork boats and a river made from guttering: children tested how to move their boats along it.

Movement has several forms. Dough disco exercises fingers in preparation for writing, while yoga, dancing and parachute games develop larger movements. PE uses the school hall; bike riding and running use the field. Together, these activities make physical development part of learning through play, with opportunities to practise both small hand movements and whole-body coordination.

The nursery lead holds a level 4 Advanced Practitioner in Early Years qualification. Seedlings also has learning support staff, including an assistant with level 3 Early Years Education training. This gives the nursery a defined early years team within the wider school.

For additional needs, the school’s SENCo works alongside Elevate’s SEND HUB. Its team includes an educational psychologist and specialist teachers covering autism, communication and interaction, and social, emotional and mental health. Visits support individual children and provide staff training, giving families access to expertise beyond the nursery team.

Lunch can be a freshly cooked hot meal from the school kitchen or a packed lunch. Nursery school meals are charged, with payment required before eating; children can choose a school lunch on the day. A named water bottle is encouraged. The Tree House adds breakfast and a light tea for children using its before and after school provision, so meals can also form part of a longer day.

Attending Seedlings does not guarantee a Reception place at Topcliffe. Families must make a separate Reception application through North Yorkshire Council, or their home local authority if they live outside North Yorkshire. For September 2027 entry, the closing date is 15 January 2027. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery sessions.

Preparation for the next stage happens through learning: independence, vocabulary and the hand strength needed for early writing all receive attention. Those benefits are educational; they do not secure admission.

Morning sessions run from 9:00am to 11:30am, with afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:00pm and a lunchtime session between them. Sessions can be arranged flexibly across the week and changed each term, subject to availability. Eligible working parents can use 30 funded hours after assessment and must give the school their childcare code; funding starts from the term after the child’s second birthday.

Additional paid sessions start at 7:45am and extend afternoons to 6:00pm Monday to Thursday or 5:30pm on Friday. Ask the school for current charges. Nursery applications go through the academy office, which can also arrange a visit: call 01845 577412 or email admin@topcliffeacademy.org.

Uniform allows nursery children to wear tracksuit bottoms or leggings and trainers, while a branded navy sweatshirt or cardigan is required. Parking. Space around school is limited, and the turning circle must remain clear for emergencies and the bus. Allow time to park safely and accompany your child.