Stakesby Primary Academy Nursery Review

A school wood, Wednesday Forest School and books to take home give Super Squirrels its character. This is Stakesby Primary Academy’s nursery in Whitby, with a learning space of its own inside the Early Years building shared with Wise Owls, the Reception class. Children can become familiar with that building while still having space designed for their nursery learning.

Foundation Stage One has 64 places, divided into 32 morning and 32 afternoon places. Children normally join in the term after their third birthday. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 2 and 3 February 2023; this is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Play combines activities guided by adults with opportunities for children to choose what to explore. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together physical development, communication and emotional development with early literacy, maths, creative work and learning about the world. In parent terms, talking, experimenting and playing together are part of learning, alongside the beginnings of reading and number work.

Indoor and outdoor learning are linked, and children choose between learning areas covering the curriculum. Forest School happens each Wednesday with a specialist teacher in the school’s own wood. That gives outdoor exploration a regular place in the week, with a changing natural setting to investigate.

Language has a clear focus. In February 2023, early years staff demonstrated clear speech, asked questions and allowed children time to answer. Children discussed a cave they had created during a topic about light and darkness, turning imaginative play into a reason to explain their ideas. They also enjoyed adults reading stories aloud.

Essential Letters and Sounds is the school’s phonics programme, with daily phonics extending to nursery children. Super Squirrels also explore faiths, countries and cultures in relation to their own lives. Books borrowed from the nursery’s lending library carry shared reading into family time.

Class Dojo gives parents daily photographs of nursery activities, making it easier to talk with children about their play and learning. Families are encouraged to practise sharing, taking turns and dressing independently before nursery starts. Toilet training is supported, with easily managed clothing recommended for children newly confident using the toilet.

For children on the school’s SEND register, parents have termly progress reviews with the class teacher and SEND coordinator. The school aims to work with parents to identify needs and, where necessary, help with referrals to outside agencies.

SEND support. In February 2023, some staff lacked sufficiently specific guidance for supporting individual needs, including in early years. Adaptations were consequently less precise than they needed to be, including for reading and writing. Families should discuss how their child’s support strategies will be communicated to staff and reviewed.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process, registering with North Yorkshire’s Education Department; the school office can assist.

Sharing the Early Years building provides familiarity with the setting. That practical continuity is separate from the allocation of a Reception place.

Morning and afternoon places provide the nursery’s session structure. Parents can put a child’s name on the waiting list and arrange a visit through the school office on 01947 820231 or admin@stakesbyschool.net.

Nursery clothing includes black bottoms, a white polo shirt or short-sleeved shirt, and a grey Stakesby branded jumper or cardigan. Black shoes should suit climbing. A book bag is recommended for borrowed books and children’s pictures, connecting nursery activities with home.