Helmingham Primary School and Nursery was established in 2019 when the former Old School House Nursery joined the main school and the academy trust. The merged team became Helmingham Primary School and Nursery and the children are based in the main school building.

We have a popular and vibrant Early Years unit called Hedgehogs Class which caters for children aged 2 years upwards. Our children are able to learn and develop in an environment designed entirely for early years foundation stage learning.

If you would like to visit us we would love to show you around.  Please contact the school office by email at office.helmingham@consortiumtrust.org.uk to make an appointment. 

Admission into the Nursery

Children are eligible to be admitted to Helmingham Nursery from the date of their 2nd birthday, however, two-year-old funding is not available for all two-year-old children. Families must meet set criteria to be eligible. Please ensure you read the criteria to check if you are eligible at Get free childcare if you're working: Check if you're eligible - GOV.UK and apply for your unique funding code.

When your child becomes eligible for 2 year funding:

• If your child is born between 1st April and 31st August, they will be eligible for a funded place from 1st September following their second birthday, until statutory school age. If parents continue to meet eligibility criteria.
• If your child is born between 1st September and 31st December, they will be eligible for a funded place from 1st January following their second birthday, until statutory school age. If parents continue to meet eligibility criteria.
• If your child is born between 1st January and 31st March, they will be eligible for a funded place from 1st April following their second birthday, until statutory school age. If parents continue to meet eligibility criteria.

All three and four-year-old children are entitled to receive 15 hours of free early years education per week, 38 weeks per year. 

When your child becomes eligible for 3-year funding:

• If your child is born between 1st April and 31st August, they will automatically be eligible for a funded place from 1st September following their third birthday, until statutory school age.
• If your child is born between 1st September and 31st December, they will automatically be eligible for a funded place from 1st January following their third birthday, until statutory school age.
• If your child is born between 1st January and 31st March, they will automatically be eligible for a funded place from 1st April following their third birthday, until statutory school age.

Funded 30 hours Childcare

To access a funded 30-hour place the family must have a valid code and the child must be of eligible age.

Suffolk County Council can only fund places where the eligibility codes meet the requirements set by the Department for Education (DfE).

We work to the government's operational guidance for local authorities and childcare providers, which says:

When Parents can Claim and Start a 30-Hour Place

• Parents should be encouraged to apply the term before their child turns three to ensure they can access a place when they want it. If they do not receive a code before the deadline, they will need to wait until the following term to access their 30-hour place.
   
• Parents can apply up to 31 days before taking up or returning to work. If a parent applies before this point, they will only be able to apply for Tax-Free Childcare.
   
• Local authorities are not expected to secure the additional funded hours when the parent has applied after the 31st August, 31st December or 31st March.

The Early Year Foundation Stage

The EYFS is the period of education for all children from birth until the end of Reception year at school.  It is called the Foundation Stage because it provides children with the secure foundations they need for their future learning.  It builds on all the learning that children will have already gained from their families.

There are 7 areas of learning covered by the EYFS curriculum.  These are divided into three prime areas and four specific areas.  

The prime areas are:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

The specific areas are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design Communication and Language

Payment of Nursery Fees

The Consortium Multi Academy Trust operates a standard policy for the charging of nursery fees. 

At Helmingham Primary School and Nursery, information is provided to assist you in understanding how our nursery operates and how your child’s place is funded or paid for. When you request a place we will ask you to complete a registration form and a funding form for free childcare for 2-4 year olds.

We are very much aware that choosing your child's nursery as parents can be a tough decision.

We understand this as parents ourselves. There are many things to consider when choosing childcare for your little one.

First of all will they settle ? What will they be doing at nursery? Will they be safe? Am I doing the right thing as I have never left him/her before? These are just some of the many worries faced by most parents.

In Hedgehogs we want to do our very best to ease these worries and help you and your child to feel at home with us. 

Our school is recognised for it’s calm, supportive and nurturing atmosphere whilst offering a bespoke curriculum focussed on the needs of all our pupils.

We look forward to meeting you and your child.