Little Deputies Nursery at Sheriff Hutton Primary School

Sixteen places, children from age two upwards and Castle Club for a longer day: Little Deputies brings nursery and pre-school provision into Sheriff Hutton Primary School. It has its own nursery manager and play leader. For families, that combines a nursery team with access to the school's extended care.

The core nursery day runs from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Learning sits within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), a framework covering seven areas of children's learning and development. Its practical emphasis is on activities shaped around children's interests and needs.

Early years music includes singing familiar songs, exploring changes in sound and moving to music. Children may also experiment with instruments and create compositions. The outdoor provision has a spotlight stage area for performing them, giving musical exploration a physical space and an audience.

Local visits feature in early years geography, encouraging children to notice their surroundings. Books give them a starting point for discussing how places and people differ. History begins with changes children can understand, such as comparing themselves now with themselves as babies, and talking about the people around them. These are concrete ways to connect learning with everyday experience.

At the inspection on 21 and 22 March 2023, Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good. In March 2023, children separated confidently from their parents and settled promptly into learning; established routines and carefully directed adult help supported their development. These findings concern early years across the school.

Support for additional needs starts early. The EYFS team receives training and support to act when gaps emerge. The school's SEN process involves informing parents during monitoring, followed by SENCo assessment and parental consent before entry onto the SEN register. Digital Individual Support Plans set out targets and interventions; parents help develop these plans at meetings three times a year. That gives families a defined role in shaping support.

A wellbeing programme is taught weekly from nursery onwards. Hot lunches are available to nursery children and carry a separate charge. Castle Club breakfast includes toast, cereals, fruit and yogurt, so children using morning care can eat before the nursery day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through North Yorkshire's admissions service, using the normal application route and meeting the applicable deadline. Online applications are preferred, and the school office can help with the process.

Once a Reception place has been offered, parents are invited to a transition meeting about routines and arrangements. Children also have induction sessions with their future class and teachers before their September start. Children with SEN receive enhanced transition support. These preparations help families plan the change; they are separate from the allocation of places.

Castle Club extends care from 7.45am until 6pm for nursery children. Its breakfast session finishes at 8.45am, when teaching or nursery staff collect the children. Bookings can be made through Arbor or the school office. The final half-hour, from 5.30pm to 6pm, needs advance booking.

Funded provision includes 15 hours weekly for three- and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds. Eligible working families can access additional funding, up to the equivalent of 30 hours weekly for 38 weeks each year, and the school offers access to the full entitlement. Additional hours are charged. Castle Club sessions are also chargeable, and childcare vouchers are accepted. Contact the school for current charges.

To enquire about Little Deputies or arrange a visit, call the school office on 01347 878441 or email admin@sheriffhutton.n-yorks.sch.uk.