Milefield Primary School Nursery Review

Child-led play takes up three quarters of the Early Years Unit’s day at Milefield, with learning happening outside as well as indoors. Short listening and number sessions give that play a clear structure. This is a nursery where practising independence sits alongside preparation for reading.

Milefield Primary School has a 52-place nursery for children from age 3 in Grimethorpe. It sits within the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Unit. Ofsted graded early years provision Good following its inspection on 12 and 13 March 2024; that judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Development Matters guides the early years curriculum: activities are matched to children’s stage of development, with attention to what they can already do and their next steps. Staff plan the skills to cover across the year, while children’s interests help determine the topics. That gives children a say in what they explore.

Autumn learning puts practical foundations first. Sharing, managing the toilet, using a pencil and speaking in a group sit alongside learning to follow instructions. These are useful nursery goals in their own right, helping children participate in play and become more independent.

Each nursery session includes 15 minutes of Phase 1 Letters and Sounds, developing listening and speaking before formal reading. Another 15 minutes is devoted to maths. Children hunt for shapes and numbers around school, sing counting songs and count objects, using fingers or props to represent quantities. Read Write Inc. (RWI) pictures and rhymes are introduced during play, with opportunities to learn letters for children who are ready.

In March 2024, early years learning gave particular attention to communication and language, and staff considered children’s initial skills carefully. Children were developing curiosity and independence through their learning experiences.

Every child has an assigned key worker, giving families a familiar contact during transitions and when extra support is needed. Key workers maintain learning journey files and share these with their allocated children each half term.

Miley Mini mornings and afternoons bring parents into the learning process. Teachers focus on five children each week through individual planning, rotating this attention so each child receives an in-depth focus every half term. Families are invited into the unit at the week’s end to share their child’s learning. Support staff observe how children use their skills during play and consider changes to provision.

For everyday questions, the EYFS lead is available at the doors when the school day begins and ends. The school SENCo works on Thursdays and Fridays, plus alternate Wednesdays. These offer distinct routes for discussing learning and additional needs.

A separate application. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions route and meet the relevant deadline. Treat that application as a separate task from choosing nursery.

Preparation for the next stage happens through learning: nursery children become familiar with RWI rhymes and pictures and practise speaking, listening and counting. That familiarity supports the change in learning expectations; it does not secure admission.

Morning nursery runs from 8.40am to 11.40am; the afternoon session is 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Each gives families a defined start and collection time, useful when arranging the rest of the day.

Contact the school office on 01226 710329 or email MFPS.parents@hcacademytrust.education for nursery enquiries. The school aims to respond within five working days, although timing can vary with the request. Urgent enquiries and safeguarding concerns should be made by telephone.

A school uniform swap shop is usually positioned near the shelter outside the KS1 doors. Families can speak to the office about taking items, providing a practical way to reuse clothing.