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Nursery at Airy Hill Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, sound work and play give Airy Hill’s nursery its clearest character. At the May 2022 inspection, two-year-olds enjoyed listening to stories, and nursery phonics teaching was effective. This is the school’s own nursery on Waterstead Lane in Whitby, forming part of its Foundation Stage provision.
The nursery sits within a school that describes its ethos through children’s rights. In everyday terms, nursery children share the same basic behaviour expectations as older pupils: kindness, safety and readiness to learn.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning combines activities guided by adults with play children choose themselves. That means children have opportunities to follow an interest, alongside adult interaction that introduces vocabulary or extends an idea. Learning about the past, for example, starts with events in children’s own lives and events in the wider world.
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised is the named phonics programme, with teaching beginning in nursery. Speaking and listening receive explicit attention alongside reading and writing. In May 2022, stories were woven through the nursery day, giving children repeated opportunities to listen rather than restricting books to a single story session.
Maths includes games, songs and rhymes in adult-led activities, while much of the early-years mathematical learning happens through play areas. Adults model mathematical language in different contexts, connecting number work with other activities. Creative play includes paint, crayons and felt tips, with materials used indoors and outdoors. Exploring texture, colour and design gives children ways to communicate ideas and feelings through making.
In May 2022, nursery children were content and settled, and most played together cooperatively. That is useful evidence about their experience at that time, rather than a description of a particular settling-in programme.
Behaviour expectations extend explicitly to nursery. Responses to behaviour include a reflective reset period whose duration takes account of a child’s age and developmental stage. The school also requires staff to pass on concerns about children at risk of harm.
My Child at School (MCAS) is the main channel for parent communication, carrying announcements and allowing families to message the school. Administrative staff monitor messages only between 8am and 3:30pm, so families should keep that response window in mind.
Attending Airy Hill’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process. The application route is North Yorkshire’s school admissions service, which provides an electronic application form. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.
Nursery enquiries and discussions about the wraparound nursery offer go through the school office: telephone 01947 602 688 or email admin.airyhill@yeat.co.uk. This provides a direct route for starting the nursery application conversation.
Families interested in joining Airy Hill can arrange an informal school tour and a discussion with the headteacher. A visit gives parents a chance to consider the school setting alongside the nursery’s play and learning approach.
No. Families need to make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process.
Contact the school office on 01947 602 688 or email admin.airyhill@yeat.co.uk.
Yes. Contact the school office to discuss the wraparound nursery offer.
Phonics teaching begins in nursery using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.
My Child at School (MCAS) is the main communication channel. Messages to the school are monitored by administrative staff between 8am and 3:30pm only.
