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Nursery at Marleigh Primary Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Children’s ideas help shape the learning in Caterpillars, where planned topics leave room for staff to follow an interest that catches a child’s imagination. That combination gives Marleigh Primary Academy’s nursery its character: a planned framework with flexibility within it.
The nursery takes children from age 3 and has capacity for 52. It belongs to the academy on Marleigh Avenue in Cambridge, rather than operating as a separate nursery. In February 2025, Ofsted graded the academy’s early years provision Good. This judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Caterpillars follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS. Planned topics introduce early mathematics and literacy alongside language, communication and understanding the world. For parents, this means learning connects several areas of development rather than treating each as an isolated lesson.
Staff also adapt their plans around children’s interests. A topic supplies direction, while children’s ideas can influence what happens within it. In February 2025, phonics teaching from the early years was effective, with checks on reading knowledge helping staff identify the support children needed.
Learning at home has a named link to the classroom: Caterpillars sets a challenge every fortnight through Tapestry. This gives families a specific activity to connect with their child’s learning.
Before children join, the academy arranges meetings and visits with families. Parents are invited to explain their child’s strengths, difficulties and what helps them, and that information is shared with staff. These academy-wide joining arrangements give the team a starting point for supporting a new child.
For children with special educational needs and disabilities, support can include smaller groups, additional adult help and adapted resources. Parents help agree targets and review support. The academy uses an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle, so provision can change as a child’s needs become clearer.
Physical access includes a level ground floor and an accessible toilet with a changing bed and shower facilities. These are useful details for families whose child needs help with mobility or personal care.
Innovate Catering prepares lunches at school each day. Families order ahead using School Grid after activating an account, making meals something parents can organise in advance.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the local authority where they live, meeting the deadline for their child’s entry year.
For the 2026/27 admissions cycle, attending a preschool brought no additional consideration for Reception admission. Nursery attendance therefore conferred no priority. That cycle’s application deadline was midnight on 15 January; it should not be treated as a future application date.
Funded hours can be arranged flexibly, subject to availability. Universal funding has a maximum of 15 hours a week, so families can agree a pattern suited to their needs within that limit.
Funding covers early education and care. Meals, consumables, extra activities and additional hours can attract charges, but these must not be compulsory conditions of accessing a funded place. Contact the school for current charges. To discuss nursery entry, email enquiries@marleighprimary.org or telephone 01223 618081.
The nursery accepts children from age 3 and has capacity for 52.
Topics cover the EYFS, including language, communication, literacy, mathematics and understanding the world. Staff also respond to children’s interests.
Yes, subject to availability. There is no fixed pattern for funded hours, and universal funding is capped at 15 hours per week.
Yes. Innovate Catering makes lunches on site, and families can order ahead through School Grid. Contact the school for current meal charges.
No. A separate local authority application is required. For 2026/27 entry, preschool attendance gave no additional consideration for Reception admission.
