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Nursery at Northside 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Picture books travel home and imaginative play brings familiar experiences into the classroom: Northside’s nursery gives families concrete ways to join in their child’s learning. Nursery children belong to Titanic Class alongside Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. This places the nursery within a mixed-age teaching group, an arrangement parents should weigh when choosing their child’s first school experience.
Respect, resilience and responsibility are the class values. The school aims to help children develop their own ideas and become independent thinkers, giving nursery learning a purpose beyond completing an activity.
Play and adult guidance sit together in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Northside aims to build learning around children’s existing experiences and interests, while developing their emotional, physical, social and intellectual skills. In parent terms, the emphasis is on learning through doing, talking and playing, with children’s ideas contributing to the activities.
Books provide a clear connection between nursery and home. Children take picture books home to explore the illustrations with their families, learn how to handle a book and talk about its title. Early reading also includes songs, jingles and rhymes, with children encouraged to notice print around them. These are practical starting points for sharing stories together.
White Rose Maths shapes a curriculum that begins in nursery. The school uses objects and pictures alongside more abstract ideas, giving children different ways to approach mathematical learning. Science in EYFS combines activities children can explore themselves with work guided by adults.
Traditional Tales supplied a hands-on example in January 2026. Early-years children explored Goldilocks and the Three Bears, discussed the characters’ feelings and tasted porridge while acting out the story. The activity connected storytelling, emotional understanding and sensory experience. An outdoor classroom also featured in early-years activities in September 2023, when children explored their learning spaces and spent time playing with friends.
Titanic Class has a teacher, teaching assistants and a higher level teaching assistant. Across the school, additional needs are supported through an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. Parents participate in identifying needs and reviewing support, with targets agreed each term. This gives families a role in decisions about their child’s learning.
School meals are supplied by Aspen Catering, with menus rotating over three weeks. Parent Mail handles meal viewing, booking and payment; allergy or intolerance concerns go to the school office. The arrangement gives parents a practical way to manage meals and communicate dietary needs.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. For September 2026 entry, the application window ran from 3 September 2025 to 15 January 2026. Cumberland Council’s Citizen Portal was the recommended route, with email and postal applications also accepted.
Sharing Titanic Class with Reception children provides familiarity with the teaching group. That classroom connection is separate from the allocation of a school place.
Morning nursery sessions operate at Northside. In May 2024, the school advertised 15 hours of free early education, extending to 30 hours for eligible families. Those figures relate to that dated offer.
For nursery enquiries, contact the office on 01900 62255 or admin@northside.cumbria.sch.uk. School tours can be arranged by phone or email for a mutually convenient time, allowing families to see the setting before deciding.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
Yes. Northside has morning nursery sessions.
Picture books, which families can use to discuss illustrations, explore the title and practise handling a book.
Aspen Catering supplies the school meals. Families can view, book and pay for meals through Parent Mail, and should contact the office about allergies or intolerances.
Yes. Phone 01900 62255 or email admin@northside.cumbria.sch.uk to arrange a school tour at a mutually convenient time.
