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Nursery at St Martin & St Mary Church of England 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A cottage for storybook bears, treasure hunts in sand and a pond-themed water tray: plans for play give this nursery its character. The provision sits on the school site in Windermere, with capacity for up to 30 children in each session. These are nursery places, rather than the whole school's capacity.
Nursery entry begins in the term after a child's third birthday, and children can remain until the summer term ends after they turn four. A separate Pre-School takes children from their second birthday until they move into Nursery. That distinction matters when choosing provision for a younger child.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes practical form through storytelling, construction, counting and creative play. The summer 2026 programme planned exploration of numbers from 1 to 20 through small-group games, number printing and whiteboard writing. Activities included magnetic shapes and shape puzzles for investigating shape, with colour mixing and coloured pegs for exploring patterns.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears becomes more than a story to listen to. Puppets help children retell it, while the role-play space becomes the Three Bears Cottage. Blocks and Duplo let children build furniture for differently sized bears, connecting imaginative play with comparisons of size. The playground also provides space to act out We're going on a Bear Hunt.
Other planned summer activities used the sand and water areas for exploration. Plans included a pond-themed water tray with nets, containers and magnifying glasses, and opportunities to build insect homes with wooden blocks. Pirate activities combined gold coin counting with treasure-map drawing. These examples show how language, early mathematics and hand control can develop through the same activity. In June 2024, Ofsted found that stories, rhymes and songs helped Nursery children and two-year-olds develop their listening, while children across early years showed curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
Settling was a specific strength for the youngest children in June 2024: those in the two-year-old provision became familiar with routines quickly and developed a feeling of belonging through the care they received. That finding concerns the younger provision, rather than establishing a settling timetable for every Nursery child.
Families provide information about dietary requirements, allergies, disabilities and medical conditions. This gives staff personal information relevant to a child's care. The school welcomes families of different faiths and backgrounds, including children with disabilities or learning difficulties.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must submit a separate application through the local authority's online route or form SA1. For September 2026 entry, the deadline was 15 January 2026; that admissions cycle is now past.
There is nevertheless a specific admissions benefit: children on roll at the onsite Nursery fall under oversubscription criterion seven, below the catchment criterion. This gives priority at that position in the ordering, rather than a guaranteed offer.
Preparation for the change is practical and emotional. Towards the summer term's end, Reception teachers visit Nursery, children visit the Reception classroom, and group conversations explore what to expect and how the change might feel. Familiarity with people and rooms is separate from securing admission.
The booking model uses three-hour sessions, with ten offered each week. Universal provision allows parents to request up to five; families eligible for 30 hours and registered with a DERN number can apply for up to ten. Session preferences accompany the application, so the requested pattern forms part of choosing a place.
Nursery enquiries go through the school office at admin@windermere.cumbria.sch.uk or 01539 443622. Pre-School applications also go directly to the office; places there may be paid for or funded through the two-year-old grant.
Children can begin in the term after their third birthday. The separate Pre-School accepts children from their second birthday.
There are places for up to 30 children per session.
Each session lasts three hours, with ten sessions offered per week. Parents can request up to five through universal provision, or apply for up to ten if eligible for 30 hours and registered with a DERN number.
No. A separate application is required. Children on roll at the onsite Nursery receive priority under oversubscription criterion seven, but that does not guarantee a place.
Reception teachers visit Nursery, children visit the Reception classroom, and group discussions address expectations and feelings about the move.
