First Steps Nursery at Kirmington CofE Primary School

Two full days and a Wednesday morning give First Steps Nursery a distinctive weekly rhythm. This is the nursery within Kirmington CofE Primary School, also known as Kirmington St Helena’s, on High Street in Kirmington. For families organising care, that compact pattern is the first practical consideration.

St Barnabas Church of England Primary School in Barnetby is the federation partner of the nursery’s Church of England school. The school describes friendship, compassion and thankfulness among its Christian values. Faith therefore forms part of the setting’s identity, alongside its village location.

Monday and Tuesday run from 8:50am to 3:20pm; Wednesday finishes at 11:50am. The pattern gives children two longer days followed by a shorter session, and parents need to plan around that Wednesday finish.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach recognises each child’s individuality, relationships with adults, the learning environment and children’s development. Its learning areas cover speaking and listening, managing feelings and relationships, movement and self-care, early reading and writing, numbers and shapes, exploring the world, and creative expression. For parents, this means learning encompasses how children communicate, move, play and express ideas as well as early literacy and mathematics. The school aims to help children become independent and confident learners.

Play has a language purpose. In July 2024, Ofsted found that early-years children received effective help with vocabulary through activities including imaginative role play. This gives play a concrete educational role: children practise using words while taking on characters and situations.

The 3 July 2024 inspection was ungraded and raised school-wide concerns: a graded inspection might result in a lower judgement. Curriculum delivery did not consistently build on earlier learning in mixed-age classes, checks on learning were insufficient in some subjects, and governors lacked effective oversight. Nursery shared Class 1 with Reception and Years 1 and 2 at that time. These were school-wide findings, rather than a separate nursery judgement; families should ask how learning is matched to different ages.

Historical activities show some of the materials and spaces used. In November 2020, Foundation children cut rocket shapes, experimented with brushes and flicked white paint onto dark paper for firework pictures. Those activities combined making pictures with practising scissor control. In December 2020, nursery and Reception children performed their Nativity in the outdoor classroom. That structure, installed earlier in 2020, included decking and windows that roll up, providing a physical setting for the performance beyond the indoor classroom.

An EYFS/KS1 teacher, support staff and a SEND coordinator form part of the school team. Parents can contact the SEND coordinator directly by email, giving families a route to discuss additional needs. Designated safeguarding leads and deputies provide another contact route for concerns about a child’s safety.

Lunch arrangements have included food prepared at St Barnabas and brought to Kirmington. In spring 2022, the school offered vegetarian and main dishes, vegetables, bread and a salad bar, with payment through ParentPay. Dietary requests were accommodated where possible. For families managing food needs, that qualification matters: accommodation was conditional.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat that application as a distinct decision when planning your child’s next step.

Weekly coverage. Nursery operates on Monday and Tuesday for full days and Wednesday for the morning. Families needing care beyond that pattern should account for the remaining weekdays when choosing it.

Visits can be arranged through the school office. Call 01652 688451 or email adminkirmington@stbandsth.co.uk to enquire or organise a visit. This provides a direct way to see the setting before deciding.

School gates open at 8:40am and close at 8:50am. After that, children are signed in at the main reception using the Late Register. The school encourages uniform but does not make it compulsory; recommended clothing includes a yellow polo shirt and green sweatshirt or cardigan. Belongings should carry the child’s name.