Lift Feversham Nursery Review

Conversation, stories and physical adventure give Lift Feversham’s nursery its character. This is the school’s own nursery on Harewood Street in Bradford, with play and growing independence central to its approach. At the inspection on 24 and 25 June 2025, the school included nursery provision for two-year-old children. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at that inspection; this is an early years judgement within the school inspection.

Morning, afternoon and full-day options give families different ways to use the provision. The learning combines activities guided by adults with opportunities for children to choose and explore independently, so the nursery day includes both direction and choice.

Play does substantial work here. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning, development and care: children practise expressing themselves, managing feelings, building relationships and using their bodies. Early reading and writing sit alongside exploring shapes and numbers, discovering the world, and making things through art, music and imaginative play.

For children learning to express themselves, conversation gives new vocabulary a purpose. At the June 2025 inspection, children in early years used words they had been taught in exchanges with adults. Staff supported language development through skilled interaction. Understanding their surroundings was another focus, supported by books and thoughtfully selected activities.

Playing with others means learning when to wait and how to share. The June 2025 early years findings described children developing these habits alongside growing self-confidence and independence. Physical development had concrete support too: adventurous equipment gave children opportunities to strengthen their core muscles and improve coordination. The well-equipped learning environment supported both movement and communication.

Settling is a partnership with parents. The nursery team works with families to help children become comfortable and secure, and regular communication supports an understanding of each child’s needs and progress. Parents’ knowledge of their child has a place in that relationship.

Food fits around the session. A snack table gives children access to crackers, fruit, water and milk during the day. Children attending full time may bring lunch from home or eat a meal cooked on site from a seasonal menu. That gives families a choice for the longer day.

Security arrangements are specific: entrances and gates remain secured during the day, children are supervised while learning and playing, and two staff members are present for dismissal. Staff receive safeguarding training. For speech and language needs, a therapist works with staff and the school’s SEND coordinator, provides therapy sessions and screens the Foundation Stage for language gaps. This connects early identification with specialist support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Applications use the Common Application Form and are handled by the family’s home local authority under coordinated arrangements. Treat that application as a separate step when planning your child’s next stage.

The nursery accepts government funding for 15-hour and 30-hour entitlements, with additional paid sessions offered where needed. Morning, afternoon and full-day sessions are available; enquiries about availability and current charges go through the school office. Contact office@liftfeversham.org or call 01274 721751.

Uniform is encouraged for nursery children. Comfortable clothes and footwear that children can manage themselves support independence, and a spare change of clothes should stay on the child’s peg. These are useful everyday details: dressing independently is part of learning, while spare clothing allows for a change during the session.