Green Hammerton Church of England Primary School Nursery

Choosing whether to learn indoors or outside is part of the nursery day at Green Hammerton. Children have free access between the two, with staff supporting their choices. That gives play room to follow a child's interests.

Children can join from age 3. The nursery belongs to the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) unit, which serves children aged 3 to 5. A qualified, experienced early years teacher leads the unit, supported by a team. In February 2025, Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good; this judgement covers early years within the school rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play provides the starting point for learning. Children explore ideas, collaborate and express themselves, while adults adjust activities to individual needs. Planned topics sit alongside teaching that responds to what interests children at the time. This makes their own curiosity part of the learning process.

The EYFS curriculum brings together seven areas. Language and communication, social and emotional development, and physical development form the foundations. Alongside these come mathematics, literacy, creative expression and learning about the world. For parents, the emphasis is broader than early reading or counting: movement, conversation and relationships also count as learning.

Outdoor provision is part of the everyday choice of learning space, rather than a separate occasional activity. The EYFS outdoor area was renewed in January 2023. Children can select provision inside or outside with adult support, giving them some control over where they explore.

In February 2025, early years teaching was consistent and staff understood the curriculum well. Communication received clear attention: children explained ideas during play, including why babies need different foods, while others became more accurate with numbers. These examples show talk and mathematical thinking developing through activity.

Additional support follows an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. Staff work with families and, where appropriate, outside agencies to shape an individual support package. Parents contribute both when support is planned and when its effectiveness is reviewed, giving them a role in deciding the next steps.

Matching support to needs. In February 2025, provision for some pupils with SEND across the school did not align closely enough with individual targets. Families considering nursery support should keep the link between their child's needs, planned help and review of progress central to discussions.

The safeguarding team includes designated leads and a deputy, with a governor overseeing safeguarding. Concerns about a child's safety can be raised through the school telephone number.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal North Yorkshire local authority admissions route and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Flexible nursery sessions and wraparound care are offered. This gives families options around the nursery day rather than a single attendance pattern.

Visits can be arranged through the school office by emailing admin@greenhammerton.n-yorks.sch.uk or calling 01423 330314. An appointment gives prospective families a chance to see the provision before deciding whether to join.