Lapford Primary School: Consultation on lowering the age range

Consultation on lowering the age range for Lapford Community Primary School (St Thomas of Canterbury
CE Primary School from January 2026)

Introduction

Part of the UK government’s current education strategy is ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life’, which aims to transform early years support across England.

From September 2025, eligible working parents in England can access 30 hours of free childcare per week for children aged 9 months to school age.

‘Schools in the UK are encouraged to establish childcare provision on their sites to support working parents and provide a better start for children.’ (DfE)

In January 2025, Chulmleigh Academy Trust expanded its existing nursery provision (which was originally for children aged 2 to 4) at East Worlington Primary School to admit children aged 9 months up to the age of 4. This provision (Early Worlies) opened in January 2025 and is proving extremely popular with parents/carers in the local area. Early Worlies is almost at capacity and therefore the Trust would like to increase early childcare provision further in the area by replicating this provision at Lapford Primary school.

Parental consultation at the time of setting up Early Worlies identified a shortage of childcare provision in this rural area. Lapford is only a short distance away from East Worlington (5.3 miles).

Background

For many years, the nursery and Reception children at Lapford school have shared the same classroom setting. This is a stand-alone unit a few metres away from the main school building. It is known throughout the school as ‘The Nest’.

The Head of School received a visit from County Early Years adviser, Katy Vallance on 12th of December 2024, and was encouraged to consider expanding the nursery to accommodate babies.

Early Years at Lapford Primary School was graded as ‘Good’ at the Ofsted inspection in October 2023.

Parental feedback

During a recent meeting at the school, parents/carers explained that they were not keen on Reception children sharing the same space as nursery children and that they would prefer Reception children to have their own discrete space.

At the same meeting, parents/carers reported that opening the setting at 7.30am rather than at the current time of 8.00am would be more convenient for those dropping children off on the way to work. Since publicising the intention to create more places for younger children at the nursery, the school has already received enquiries and has a waiting list.

Proposals
 To move the Reception class into their own dedicated classroom from January 2026. There are currently 9 children in the Reception cohort, and the school has a classroom in the main building set aside for this
 To employ an additional member of staff to support the existing nursery staff in order to provide two members of staff in the nursery at all times
 To modify the existing nursery room in order to provide a space separating babies from toddlers (This was completed during the summer holidays)
 To register the setting with Ofsted under the name of ‘The NEST’ (Nursery Excellence @ St Thomas’)
 To be open from 7.30am until 6.00pm from January 2026.

Perceived benefits
 Providing a much-needed childcare facility for parents in the area
 Increasing the wraparound care offer from 8.00am until 6.00pm to 7.30am until 6.00pm
 Improving transition from nursery to Reception by enabling children to familiarise themselves with the school and staff from an early age
 Attracting new families to the school with an improved childcare offer- thereby increasing the number of pupils on roll. At East Worlington, the expansion of the nursery has significantly increased the number of pupils on roll.

We would be interested in your views and therefore should you wish to comment or object, please email consultation@chulmleigh.devon.sch.uk before Wednesday 15th October.

Alternatively, you can send written responses for the attention of Sarah Healey and/or Jessica Wright at Lapford School, Eastington Lane, Lapford, Crediton, Devon, EX17 6QE.