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Nursery at The Academy At St. James
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Outdoor play in every weather, a shared story before home time and short daily sound sessions give this nursery its character. At The Academy At St. James in Allerton, Bradford, the early years provision includes Ladybirds for children aged two and over, alongside the nursery class, Gorgeous Guatemala. Both belong to the school's early years team.
At the inspection on 4 and 5 May 2022, Ofsted graded early years provision Good and identified an emphasis on children communicating and interacting. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. For parents, the practical emphasis is on learning to talk, play and become more independent.
Children's interests help shape the activities, alongside skills staff want them to develop. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the nursery focuses on physical development, relationships and emotions, and language. In everyday terms, this means learning to move confidently, express needs and join in with other children.
Activities give children a choice of ways to practise larger movements and finer hand control. Later in the session, everyone helps clear away before gathering on the carpet for singing and a story. These shared routines sit alongside opportunities to choose an activity, giving the session both flexibility and a familiar ending.
Read Write Inc introduces the first 30 sounds through brief daily sessions in nursery. Books also travel home for families to share, while children's pictures and models go into their bookbags. This gives parents something concrete to talk about with their child after nursery.
Outside provision stays accessible whatever the weather, so a coat is part of the daily kit. Indoors, the school hall hosts nursery PE each week. Children practise removing their own socks and shoes for these sessions, and families are encouraged to rehearse this at home. Independence is built into ordinary tasks, including putting on a coat.
Mid-session snacks combine trying different foods with conversations about healthy eating. Children have fruit and milk, and those attending all day can have a school dinner. Meals are cooked in the school's own kitchen each day. Nursery dinners are charged unless a free school meals application has been successful; families should obtain current charges from the school.
Class Dojo connects families with the class teacher through messages, photographs and videos, and parents can share pictures from home too. School Spider carries general school communications, including permissions and parents' evening bookings. The two systems serve different everyday purposes.
For children with SEND, support uses the Early Years Developmental Journal and a repeating process of assessing needs, planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing progress. Individual Learner Passports record needs and provision, with families involved in reviews. The school building is on one level, with ramps and accessible toilets, practical features for families considering physical access.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Bradford Council's normal admissions process. Applications within the Faith Proportion also require a supplementary form returned to the school office. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.
Transition support for children with additional needs includes summer classroom visits, Stay and Play sessions and meetings involving families, nursery and relevant agencies. Extra visits and an adapted gradual start can be arranged according to individual needs. These help children prepare for the change; they do not secure admission.
Morning sessions run from 8:40am to 11:40am, and afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. Parents can pay to extend attendance to a full-time place from 8:40am to 3:15pm. The longer day ends earlier than the afternoon session, a distinction that matters when planning collection.
Eligible children can receive up to 15 funded hours weekly, with a limited number of free early education places. Additional hours are charged. Nursery applications go through the school admissions team: contact reception on 01274 777095 or office@stjames.bdat-academies.org for an application pack. School visits can also be arranged.
From September 2026, the school uniform includes a pale blue polo, a maroon logo sweatshirt or cardigan, grey trousers or skirt, and black shoes or plain black trainers. Label belongings and bring a coat and bookbag each day.
Morning sessions are 8:40am to 11:40am and afternoons are 12:30pm to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. A paid full-time option runs from 8:40am to 3:15pm.
No. Parents must apply separately through Bradford Council. Applications within the Faith Proportion also need a supplementary form returned to the school office.
Children choose activities that develop movement and hand control, have a snack, help tidy away and finish with a shared story and singing. Nursery also has daily Read Write Inc sound sessions and weekly PE in the hall.
Children have milk and fruit during nursery sessions. All-day children can have school dinners, which are charged unless a free school meals application has been successful.
Class Dojo allows parents to message the class teacher and exchange pictures. School Spider handles general school messages, permissions and parents' evening bookings.
