A popular infant and nursery school is expanding to meet the needs of its community.

From September 2024, Ramsden Infant and Nursery School will increase its nursery provision to offer lunch and afternoon sessions, alongside its current morning sessions.

The expansion will give parents the option to take up the Government's offer of 30 hours of free childcare.

Families will be able to make use of full wrap-around care with breakfast and after-school clubs running outside of school hours.

Assistant Headteacher Jo Pooley said: “We recognise the need to increase our provision and we want parents to know their children can come to our school from age three and progress through infants to our junior school - Greengate.

“We have had lots of new families join in this academic year and they always comment on how friendly and family-focused we are, the approachable staff and chatty children and the amazing outdoor space, considering our town centre location.”

Children in the nursery currently enjoy taking part in Forest Schools and have recently had visits from the library through the Book Trust and a session with a midwife who has taught them how to care for themselves.

Families also have access to the on-site Ladybirds Nurture Unit, which provides a rich learning environment for children with additional needs, who want to be in a mainstream school. It includes a specialist Pod where the children can have a break from the stimulating environment of a classroom.

Ramsden Infant School is currently in the final stages of applying for the Primary Quality Science Mark, jointly with Greengate Junior School of which it is federated. The schools are applying to join South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust in the next academic year.

Parents and their children can make an appointment to visit the school by emailing admin@ramsden.cumbria.ac.uk