Join us at our Open Day to explore our outstanding Nursery and Reception, explore our fantastic facilities, meet our dedicated Early Years teaching team and ask questions about starting school and how to apply.
We look forward to meeting you!
Where little imaginations grow and every story begins a wonderful adventure!
At Huntingdon Academy, our classes are named after inspirational authors who have brought stories to life and sparked the imaginations of children around the world.
Our Nursery class, F1C, is proudly named after Eric Carle, the much-loved children’s author and illustrator whose colourful, imaginative stories have inspired generations of young readers.
Eric Carle is best known for his beautiful illustrations, created using colourful hand-painted tissue paper, and his wonderful stories that encourage children to explore, discover and learn about the world around them.
Some of his most famous books include:
Through his stories, Eric Carle inspires children to be curious, use their imaginations, celebrate their individuality and discover the wonders of nature.
Just like Eric Carle, we believe that every child is an artist, an explorer and a storyteller! In Carle Class, we encourage our little learners to express themselves, ask questions, explore colours and textures, and discover the magic of books.
Who knows? We might have a future bestselling author or amazing illustrator right here in Carle Class!
Where little learners take their first big steps on an exciting journey of discovery!
At Huntingdon Academy, we believe that every child deserves the very best start to their education. Our Nursery provides a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment where children feel happy, safe and confident to explore, play and learn.
We offer both morning and afternoon Nursery sessions, with a maximum of 26 children in each session, ensuring a caring and supportive environment where every child is valued and encouraged to shine.
We are delighted to offer both 15-hour and 30-hour funded Nursery places, subject to availability and eligibility.
Through exciting play-based learning, meaningful experiences and caring relationships, we help our youngest children develop confidence, independence, friendships and a lifelong love of learning.
We can’t wait to welcome your little one to the Huntingdon family and be part of their very first learning adventures!
| Session | Time |
| Morning | 8.30am – 11.30am |
| Afternoon | 12.30pm – 3.30pm (doors open from 3.15pm) |
| Full day options:
Option 1: 30 hours funded |
9.00am – 3.00pm |
| Option 2: 30 hours funded with additional charge for lunch hour | 8.30am – 3.30pm |
A lovely opportunity for our little learners to enjoy lunchtime together!
At Huntingdon Academy, we offer a friendly and welcoming Nursery Lunch Club for children attending a full-day or afternoon Nursery session.
Lunch Club provides a wonderful opportunity for children to develop independence, practise important social skills and enjoy spending time with their friends in a caring and supportive environment.
Please note that there is an additional charge for lunch.
For more information about Lunch Club, including availability, bookings and payments, please speak to a friendly member of our school office team, who will be happy to help.
Making lunchtime a happy part of every child’s Nursery adventure!
We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, play, explore and thrive!
At Huntingdon Academy, we are delighted to offer 15-hour and 30-hour funded Nursery places, helping families access high-quality early education in a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment.
Our Nursery offers both morning and afternoon sessions, with a maximum of 26 children per session.
All places are subject to availability and eligibility criteria apply to the extended 30-hour entitlement.
Families wishing to access 30 funded hours will usually need to apply through the government’s childcare service and obtain an eligibility code.
You can find out more about funded childcare and check your eligibility on the official government website:
Find out about free childcare in England
We understand that childcare funding can sometimes feel confusing, but our friendly school office team is always happy to help you understand your options and enquire about available Nursery places.
We look forward to welcoming your little learner to the Huntingdon family!
Starting Nursery is a very special milestone, and we’re here to make the experience as happy, welcoming and reassuring as possible!
At Huntingdon Academy, we understand that every child is unique. That’s why we take a gentle, personalised approach to starting Nursery, helping children feel safe, secure and excited about their new adventure.
Children can join our Nursery from the term after their third birthday.
To register your interest, simply visit our friendly school office team and complete an Expression of Interest Form. We will add your child’s details to our waiting list and contact you when it is time to begin the admissions process.
Before starting Nursery, children and their families are invited to a special Welcome Event, usually held in July, December or March.
This is a wonderful opportunity to:
For children joining at other times of the year, we can arrange an individual welcome session.
We know that happy, settled children are ready to learn!
Our settling-in process is carefully designed to help children feel confident and secure in their new surroundings.
Typically, the first three sessions last approximately one hour:
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. We work closely with families to ensure every child settles in at a pace that is right for them.
Every family receives a Nursery Welcome Booklet, containing useful information about our staff, daily routines and important online platforms.
You’ll also receive our latest half-termly Nursery Newsletter, helping you stay connected with all the wonderful learning and experiences taking place.
We can’t wait to meet your little learner and help them begin their exciting journey at Huntingdon Academy!
The best way to discover the magic of Huntingdon Academy is to come and see it for yourself!
We warmly invite prospective parents, carers and their little ones to visit our Nursery, explore our exciting learning environment and meet our friendly, experienced teaching team.
During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to see where our youngest learners play, discover and grow, ask questions and find out what makes our Nursery such a special place to begin your child’s educational journey.
We would love to show you around!
To arrange a visit, simply complete the short enquiry form below, and a member of our team will be in touch to confirm a convenient date and time.
Alternatively, you can call our friendly school office on 0115 9156841.
We can’t wait to welcome you and your little one to the Huntingdon family!
What makes Huntingdon Academy such a special place to learn, grow and shine? Who better to tell you than our wonderful children!
Watch our video to hear from our Head of School, Mrs Riley and our fantastic pupils as they share what makes Huntingdon Academy so special.
Discover our school values, explore our children’s favourite subjects and hear first-hand about the exciting opportunities, experiences and friendships that make our school such a happy and welcoming place.
Come and see what makes Huntingdon Academy a place where every child belongs, every voice matters and everyone has the opportunity to shine!
Where little imaginations grow, curiosity comes alive and every day brings a new adventure!
At Huntingdon Academy, we believe that young children learn best when they feel happy, safe, valued and inspired to explore the world around them.
Our Nursery curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and is carefully designed to nurture children’s curiosity, creativity, confidence and independence through exciting, purposeful play.
Our curriculum is built around seven important areas of learning, divided into three prime areas and four specific areas.
| Prime Areas | Specific Areas |
|---|---|
| Communication and Language | Literacy |
| Physical Development | Mathematics |
| Personal, Social and Emotional Development | Understanding the World |
| Expressive Arts and Design |
These areas are woven throughout our stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments, providing endless opportunities for children to explore, investigate, create and discover.
Every day, our children enjoy a wonderful balance of child-initiated play, independent exploration and carefully planned adult-led activities. Our experienced Nursery team supports each child’s individual development, encouraging them to ask questions, solve problems, build friendships and develop a genuine love of learning.
Every half term brings a brand-new adventure!
Our exciting curriculum topics are carefully chosen to capture children’s imaginations, build on their interests and provide meaningful learning opportunities across all seven areas of development.
Our children’s safety, happiness and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.
We understand that every child develops at their own pace, and we celebrate their individual strengths, interests and achievements.
Through warm relationships, exciting experiences and a nurturing environment, we help our youngest learners develop the confidence, independence, communication skills and resilience they need for their next steps in education.
Because at Huntingdon Academy, every little learner has the potential to achieve extraordinary things!
At Huntingdon Academy, we believe that strong partnerships between home and Nursery help our little learners thrive!
We love sharing the wonderful moments, exciting discoveries and special achievements that happen throughout your child’s Nursery journey. There are lots of ways for families to stay connected and involved in their child’s learning.
Never miss a magical moment!
Every parent and carer is invited to join ClassDojo, our online communication platform that helps you stay connected with your child’s Nursery experience.
Through ClassDojo, you can:
We love celebrating children’s achievements and helping families feel part of their learning journey!
Every achievement matters, no matter how small!
We hold three parents’ evenings each year, one towards the end of each term.
These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to speak with your child’s teacher, celebrate their progress, discuss their development and explore how we can work together to support their next steps.
Discover all the exciting things happening in our Nursery!
At the beginning of every half term, we share a Nursery newsletter packed with useful information, including:
Together, we can make your child’s Nursery journey a happy, exciting and unforgettable experience!
Ready to give your little one a wonderful start to their learning journey? We’d love to welcome you to Huntingdon Academy!
If you’re interested in joining our Nursery or would like to find out more about the exciting opportunities we offer, simply complete the enquiry and application form below. A member of our friendly team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.
Have a question? We’re here to help!
Whether you’d like to discuss Nursery places, funded hours, admissions or anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Call us: 0115 9156841
Email us: [email protected]
We can’t wait to meet you and your little learner and welcome you into our wonderful Huntingdon family!
