Croftlands Infant School Nursery Review

Play with an adult alongside, daily stories and music give Croftlands’ early years provision its shape. Nursery sits within Croftlands Infant School on Oakwood Drive in Ulverston, with provision for three- and four-year-olds alongside Robin Class for ages two to three and Wren Class for children under two. These are distinct starting points for families choosing early care and education.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 28 and 29 November 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery inspection.

Practical play is central to early maths. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children explore independently and with teachers joining their play. Hands-on resources connect mathematical ideas to real experiences, giving children something concrete to investigate rather than relying only on spoken explanations. White Rose Maths supports planning, alongside the EYFS Framework and Development Matters.

Stories have a daily place in class. Classroom reading areas hold fiction and non-fiction, including books connected to class topics, so children have opportunities to choose reading material themselves. In November 2023, children in the two-year-old provision were developing language successfully. For younger children, that is a useful foundation for expressing needs and joining conversations.

Music includes listening, singing and playing, with Charanga supporting teaching. Personal and social learning uses 1 Decision: children help the character DeeDee consider choices and their consequences. This makes decisions a concrete subject for discussion. Outdoors, the infant school shares a field and wood with the junior school, providing a physical setting beyond the classroom.

Curriculum clarity. In November 2023, important learning was insufficiently defined in some early years areas. Checks on understanding also needed development in some subjects and learning areas, creating a risk of moving ahead before earlier learning was secure.

Settling was a strength in November 2023. Even the two-year-olds adjusted successfully and turned to staff for reassurance or comfort. That matters for children making an early separation from home: trusted adults were helping them feel secure.

The infant and nursery school’s SEND information directs families to its special educational needs coordinator. Its wellbeing provision also invites parents to speak with staff for advice, giving families a route to discuss emotional needs as well as learning needs.

Safeguarding. School safeguarding arrangements were effective in November 2023, but some staff training needed updating and recruitment checks needed greater thoroughness. These school-wide concerns matter to nursery families too; the positive overall finding should be read alongside them.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Croftlands directs applicants to Westmorland & Furness Council and its admission form. Treat the nursery place and the later school application as separate decisions.

For three- and four-year-olds, funded provision covers up to 15 hours weekly, beginning in the term following the third birthday. The school’s September 2026 information describes 30 hours weekly for qualifying parents, with the same starting condition. Eligibility therefore matters when planning attendance.

Nursery enquiries go through the infant school office on 01229 586565 or admin@croftlandsinf.cumbria.sch.uk. The admissions page also offers school visits arranged through the office. Robin and Wren classes have waiting lists, so availability may affect younger children’s start dates.