Crossley Hall Academy Nursery Review

Ants for two-year-olds, Bears for three-year-olds: Crossley Hall’s nursery gives its youngest children two distinct starting points, with language, play and growing independence running through both. The provision forms part of Crossley Hall Academy on Thornton Road, Bradford.

In May 2023, there were 26 places in the two-year-old provision and 46 in the Nursery Year. Those are dated capacity figures. Today’s nursery groups retain their own identities, with Ants concentrating on early communication and familiar routines, and Bears extending conversation, cooperative play and independent choices.

Play sets the pace. In Ants, children move between indoor activities and outdoor exploration, with shared songs, stories and food breaks giving the session its structure. Adults help children communicate through gestures and sounds as well as words, introducing vocabulary during play rather than reserving language for a separate lesson. Responding to familiar voices and joining rhymes are part of that early work.

Bears combines activities children choose themselves with play that adults join and develop. Small-world scenes and role play give children reasons to talk; construction brings problem-solving into their games. Creative work and making marks add another way to express ideas. Group activities sit alongside this exploration, so children practise listening to others as well as pursuing their own interests.

Reading preparation starts with listening and recognising sounds. Read Write Inc is the named programme used from nursery, while The Story Project brings stories into personal, social and emotional learning across the early years. The emphasis is on foundations: noticing sounds, communicating ideas and learning alongside other children.

Outdoor space is part of both groups’ routines. Ants goes outside daily to explore natural materials, movement and imaginative games. Bears adds opportunities to ride, balance and climb, with adults helping children develop their play. For Ants families, wellies and clothing suited to the weather are everyday practical essentials.

Settling begins with relationships. Ants focuses on attachment to familiar adults and predictable routines, including chances to rest or spend time quietly. At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that home visits to every two-year-old helped children build relationships and settle promptly; staff also supported friendship, sharing turns and playing together.

Both groups have teachers and learning support assistants. Snacks and meals feature in their routines, and children under five can receive free milk through registration with Cool Milk. This needs a separate registration, rather than being something families should assume happens automatically.

For additional learning needs, the school uses Assess-Plan-Do-Review: identifying a need, planning support, putting it into practice and checking its effect. Parents can arrange a discussion with the class teacher or special educational needs coordinator through the office. That gives families a route to raise concerns and agree next steps. Staff across the school undertake safeguarding training annually.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery applications go to the school, while Reception requires a separate online application through Bradford Council. Families must apply again through that normal route by the normal deadline; a nursery place should never be treated as securing the next stage.

Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am; afternoon sessions run from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. These are separate three-hour windows, so the collection time matters when fitting nursery around work or another child’s school day.

The school offers 15 hours of nursery provision for two- and three-year-olds. Three-year-olds may qualify for 30 hours depending on family circumstances, with an application through the government website required for that entitlement. Nursery applications can be collected from the Main Office, which also handles enquiries. Contact the school on 01274 488703 or office@chps.paymat.org.

Nursery uniform includes a purple cardigan or sweatshirt and a white polo shirt, with dark grey or black uniform bottoms. Branded items are optional, giving families flexibility over where they buy clothing. Ask the school for current charges.