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Nursery at Cronton Church of England Primary Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Numberblocks, sand and water play, and daily outdoor exploration give Cronton’s nursery a day built around doing things. This is the nursery class within Cronton Church of England Primary Academy, on Smithy Lane in Cronton, Widnes. It forms part of the school’s early years provision, with the EYFS curriculum providing the starting point for its named KEYS Curriculum.
Christian values shape the school’s approach. Alongside these, the early years team encourages curiosity and independence, helping children make choices about their learning and begin managing practical tasks themselves. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 26 and 27 March 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school.
Play and focused teaching share the timetable. The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, brings together learning to communicate, move and manage feelings with early reading, mathematics, creative work and exploring the world. For parents, that means talking and physical activity belong alongside number work and stories, rather than being separate from learning.
Numberblocks provides the nursery’s introduction to number. A daily Maths Meeting includes counting aloud, recognising shapes and practising number writing. Practical materials accompany mathematical learning, so children can handle objects while exploring ideas. Read, Write, Inc provides the phonics approach: nursery children begin by listening for sounds in words, then tackle some individual letter and sound links in the Summer Term. Stories also prompt drawing and early writing.
The learning space has a book corner, construction resources and areas for pretend play, alongside sand and water. Clearly labelled resources help children choose equipment themselves. Outdoors is used daily, with opportunities to investigate seasonal changes and practise movement. Children can choose between indoor and outdoor activities throughout the day. Weekly PE introduces movement skills through activities including dance and games. There is room for both quieter exploration and active play.
Settling begins before the first session. Stay and Play gives families time with the early years team to discuss their child, including medical matters and additional needs. Children also have opportunities to meet staff and other children before starting. In March 2024, early years children adapted promptly to familiar routines, with adults demonstrating the behaviour expected of them.
Communication continues through Evidence Me and the Busy Book, which let parents contribute experiences from home. Observations are shared each term, while parents’ evenings take place twice a year and a written report follows at year end. This gives families several ways to discuss development beyond a brief handover.
JIGSAW supports learning about feelings and relationships. Staff use the Leuven Scales when children start and at each term’s end to assess involvement and wellbeing, then plan help where needed. Speech and language difficulties can lead to small-group work or a speech therapy referral where appropriate. Children are encouraged to make healthy snack and lunch choices and practise managing hygiene themselves. For SEND discussions, parents can contact the school’s coordinator at cronton.send@ldst.org.uk.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the local authority where they live and send any supplementary forms directly to the school. Treat that application as a separate task, with its own deadline for the relevant entry year.
Familiarity develops through everyday contact: children can spend parts of the day moving between the nursery and Reception classrooms. That offers experience of another learning space before the next stage. It is a practical connection, not an admissions entitlement.
Morning nursery opening is between 9:00am and 9:10am, with collection at noon. Afternoon opening runs from noon to 12:10pm, and the session ends at 3:00pm. Those handover windows matter when planning journeys and work commitments.
General enquiries go to the school office at crontonce@ldst.org.uk or 0151 424 3881. The office closes during school holidays and responds after school reopens, so allow for that when sending an enquiry.
Children combine play with focused teaching. Numberblocks supports number learning, while Read, Write, Inc introduces listening for sounds and later some letter and sound links.
Yes. Outdoor provision is used daily, and children can move between indoor and outdoor activities throughout the day.
Stay and Play allows families to discuss their child’s needs with staff. Children can meet the early years team and other children before starting.
No. A separate application is required through the local authority where the family lives, with any supplementary forms sent directly to the school.
Contact the school’s SEND coordinator at cronton.send@ldst.org.uk. Early years support can include speech and language activities and an appropriate referral to speech therapy.
