Russell Hall Primary School Nursery

Growing food, investigating wildlife and learning to persevere give Russell Hall’s early years provision its character. The nursery belongs to Russell Hall Primary School in Queensbury, Bradford, with learning organised around exploration and practical experience. It is a start built around doing things for yourself.

Ofsted’s inspection on 17 and 18 June 2025 graded early years provision Good. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Conversation is a central part of the nursery curriculum. Children practise explaining what they need, taking turns when talking and responding to instructions with two parts. Adults extend vocabulary through exchanges about children’s interests, while stories and role play give children reasons to use new words. The emphasis is on making themselves understood and listening to somebody else.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach brings learning through play together with practical experiences and growing independence. Russell Hall calls its learning habits learning muscles: curiosity and perseverance sit alongside respect, reflection, resourcefulness and working together. In everyday terms, children are encouraged to try an idea, keep going when it becomes difficult and think about what happened.

Reading, early writing and number work recur within the classroom provision. Activities match children’s needs, and adults use questions to extend their thinking. Early writing begins with making marks using different materials, giving children a practical starting point for expressing meaning on paper.

Outside, a resource-filled learning area is complemented by a garden. Children explore food growing and wildlife, connecting learning to living things they can observe. The nursery’s 2024–25 plan also includes dressing skills, hand washing and using scissors. These small tasks make independence part of learning, alongside the more obvious early literacy activities.

Settling starts with a connection to home. EYFS staff make home visits for all children joining that phase, and transition booklets are provided according to individual need. Parents’ feedback recorded in June 2025 described staff becoming familiar with young children quickly, which matters when a child is adjusting to unfamiliar adults and routines.

Support for additional needs starts early. In June 2025, children with possible special educational needs or disabilities were identified promptly, and their surroundings were adapted appropriately. The school’s support arrangements include termly reviews with families, SEND appointments and access to the SEND coordinator through ClassDojo. This gives parents several ways to discuss needs and review support.

The school has a hygiene suite for children needing help with changing or toileting. Its personal care arrangements encourage children to manage what they can themselves, with adult help when necessary. For lunch, the school offers a choice between a hot meal and food brought from home.

Reception requires another application. A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Russell Hall’s Reception, and families are free to choose another school.

The school’s admission arrangements for September 2024/25 did not include nursery attendance among the oversubscription priorities. For that cycle, applications followed Bradford Local Authority’s coordinated scheme through the online Common Application Form, with a closing date of 15 January. Those are past-cycle arrangements: they should not be treated as the timetable for a later application. Familiarity with nursery and entitlement to a school place are separate matters.

Separate extended provision for nursery children operated at the time of the June 2025 inspection. For enquiries, contact the school office on 01274 882116 or email office@russellhallprimary.co.uk. School visits can be arranged by telephone appointment, giving families an opportunity to see the setting before deciding.