Our Nursery
At Lanercost Church of England Primary School, our Nursery is the perfect environment for your child's early learning journey. Here, we cherish each child, fostering their curiosity and confidence while providing a safe, inspiring place to play and grow.
Our Nursery
A joyful, nurturing start where children are known, loved and encouraged to flourish
At Lanercost Church of England Primary School, our Nursery is a warm, welcoming and inspiring place for children to begin their learning journey. Rooted in our Christian vision and values, we provide a caring environment where every child is cherished, encouraged and supported to thrive.
We believe early childhood is a precious time. Our Nursery offers rich experiences that help children develop confidence, curiosity and independence, building strong foundations for learning and for life. We want every child to feel safe, valued and excited to come to Nursery each day.
Curiosity, awe and wonder
Our Nursery is proud to be developing its practice through The Curiosity Approach. We are currently working towards accreditation and are passionate about creating an environment that places wonder, exploration and deep engagement at the heart of everything we do.
The Curiosity Approach supports our commitment to high quality early years provision by encouraging children to explore, investigate and think for themselves through play. We carefully design our Nursery environment so that it feels calm, homely and purposeful. Spaces are thoughtfully organised and beautifully presented, helping children to feel secure, confident and ready to learn.
We use authentic, open ended resources rather than plastic toys. This includes natural materials, real objects and thoughtfully chosen resources that inspire children to explore, sort, create, compare, build and imagine. These resources encourage children to sustain play for longer, return to ideas, revisit learning and make connections, supporting the development of language, collaboration and creativity.
Through this approach, children experience moments of awe and wonder. They learn to notice, to be curious, to ask questions and to reflect. Adults play a vital role by modelling language, extending thinking, and supporting children to communicate their ideas and feelings. In these ways, children develop strong early learning behaviours, including resilience, perseverance and independence.
The Curiosity Approach also strengthens our school’s Christian distinctiveness. It supports the development of the whole child by nurturing wonder, reflection and thankfulness, and by ensuring that each child is treated with dignity and respect as they explore the world around them.
Learning through play
Children learn best through purposeful play, meaningful experiences and strong relationships. In Nursery, adults support children to develop key skills through carefully planned provision and responsive interactions. We prioritise communication and language, personal and social development, emotional wellbeing and early independence.
Our well resourced environment gives children the freedom to explore, practise and apply learning in ways that are appropriate to their stage of development. We celebrate individuality and support every child to make progress, recognising that children grow and flourish in different ways and at different times.
Outdoor learning and Woodland School
We are proud to offer stimulating outdoor learning opportunities within our excellent facilities. Children enjoy regular access to outdoor provision and take part in weekly Woodland School sessions.
These experiences strengthen confidence, wellbeing and resilience. Children learn teamwork, independence and respect for nature, and they are supported to take safe risks, solve problems and explore the outdoors with wonder and excitement.
Early language and phonics
We know how important early language development is. In Nursery, children take part in daily adult led sessions that develop early listening and sound discrimination skills. These include environmental and instrumental sounds, body percussion, alliteration, rhyming, voice sounds and oral blending.
This careful progression supports children’s communication, builds early reading readiness and prepares them well for the transition into Read Write Inc phonics in Reception.
Working in partnership with families
We value strong partnerships with parents and carers and believe that children thrive when home and school work together. We take time to get to know each child and their family, ensuring that every child experiences a smooth and positive start to their Nursery journey.
Above all, we want children to be happy, confident and secure. Our Nursery is a place where children are nurtured and inspired, where play is purposeful, and where every child is encouraged to live life in all its fullness.
Our Nursery Provision
Our well-resourced provision gives children the opportunity to evaluate and reflect on their learning and independently apply previously taught skills.
Our Nursery children are provided with stimulating activities in our excellent facilities including weekly sessions of Woodland Schools. Children are given daily, adult-led phonics sessions, focusing on environmental and instrumental sounds, body percussion, alliteration, rhyming, voice sounds and oral blending to prepare them for the transition to Read Write Inc. phonics in Reception.
Our outdoor area is accessible at any time, for most of the day. We ensure this develops our children holistically, following the interests of the child to develop a love of learning.
Partnership with Families
We have a strong partnership between school and home where all children and their families are valued and respected. We give children the chance to be part of our wider school community through:
- Shared learning with parents/carers
- Attending Collective Worship
- Celebrating festivals in Lanercost Priory
- Going on visits
- Enjoying mealtimes and playtimes with the whole school
Flexible Sessions
7.30am - 5.00pm
We offer fully flexible childcare from 7.30am - 5.00pm. Fit in with work, family or school times to suit you.
Morning Sessions: 8.50am - 11.50am
Afternoon Sessions: 12.55pm - 3.15pm
Full Day: 8.50am - 3.15pm (with wraparound charge of £4)
Our Nursery children can enjoy a school meal for £3.00 or can bring their own packed lunch from home.
We offer places using your child's 15 hours of FREE childcare. We can then provide additional hours for your child through the 30 hours fully-funded (for eligible families). Parents are welcome to pay £4 per hour for additional sessions.
Our Nursery Team
Class 1 Teacher: Mrs Siddall
Teaching Assistant: Mrs Irving
Mrs Siddall and Mrs Irving are looking forward to welcoming you and your child. To come and see our fantastic facilities, meet our staff and find out more information, email Mrs Kirsty Ruddick or ring 016977 2702.
The Curiosity Approach
Through following elements of The Curiosity Approach, we create an environment that:
- Ignites curiosity, awe and wonder
- Uses authentic materials and real-life experiences
- Encourages children to evaluate and reflect on their learning
- Allows children to independently apply previously taught skills
- Develops a genuine love of learning