Apple Tree Nursery at Husthwaite Church of England Primary School

Play, practical learning and open grounds give Apple Tree Nursery its character. The nursery takes children from age three within Husthwaite Church of England Primary School, a rural church school on Low Street. Its setting includes extensive grounds near the North York Moors, giving outdoor learning a physical place in the day.

The current school has no Ofsted graded rating yet. The historical early-years judgement from October 2022 was Requires improvement, before the school joined Elevate Multi Academy Trust in September 2024. That judgement covered early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Learning through play is the school's stated early-years approach. Children choose activities themselves and also work with adults who extend their play through questions and support. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, move and manage relationships with early reading, number, creativity and understanding the world. For parents, that means practical experiences alongside the beginnings of classroom learning.

Classrooms and outdoor spaces contain learning areas with activities children can use independently. These change according to children's needs and their next learning steps. Making things has a clear role: early-years children select materials, plan constructions and practise using simple tools. Food preparation brings hygiene into practical learning, while greetings, table manners and fitness are also woven into the curriculum. Maths uses White Rose, with learning broken into small steps from EYFS onwards.

Teaching for the youngest children. In October 2022, learning in the mixed class containing early years and key stage 1 sometimes demanded too much of the youngest children, and staff deployment did not consistently support effective teaching. Planning also needed clearer sequences of knowledge and vocabulary, with opportunities to check and revisit learning. These concerns make the match between activities and a nursery child's stage of development an important consideration for families.

In October 2022, early-years children settled promptly, adults knew them individually and relationships were warm. The outdoor learning space extended classroom experiences, and the playground squad helped younger children make friends and learn games. That offered a social link with other children as well as adult support.

Additional needs are supported through the school's SEND structure. Elevate's SEND Hub allocates a SENDCo Lead, SEND Link and SEND Specialist to each academy; the time allocated depends on its needs and number of children with SEND. Classroom support can be supplemented by individual or small-group work. Parents take part in informal discussions and termly reviews, giving them a regular opportunity to discuss provision and progress. Early-years specialist support can involve external services providing assessments, strategies and materials.

Homemade lunches are cooked daily at school. Confirm nursery lunch arrangements with the academy office when choosing sessions.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process. For entry in September 2027, applications open on 12 October 2026 and close on 15 January 2027. North Yorkshire residents apply through North Yorkshire Council; families living elsewhere apply through their own local authority. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.

Morning sessions run from 8:50am to 11:50am, afternoons from 11:50am to 2:50pm, and full days from 8:50am to 2:50pm. Additional half-hour sessions run from 11:50am to 12:20pm or 2:50pm to 3:20pm. Sessions can be arranged flexibly across the week and changed each term, subject to availability.

Funding begins in the term following a child's third birthday. Children are eligible for 15 funded hours weekly, with some eligible for 30; families qualifying for 30 hours must give the school their eligibility code. Additional sessions can use funded entitlement or be charged when outside it. Contact the school for current charges.

For a nursery application pack, contact the academy office at admin@husthwaiteprimaryschool.org or 01347 868371. Individual school visits can also be arranged through the office, allowing families to discuss the session pattern before applying.