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Nursery at Airedale Infant 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Three-hour sessions give Airedale Infant Academy’s nursery a clear shape: a morning or afternoon of early learning within the school’s Lower Foundation Stage. On Poplar Avenue in Castleford, the provision has capacity for 78 children, split into 39 morning and 39 afternoon places. Children can begin in the term following their third birthday.
Session availability deserves attention before families build their childcare plans around those two options. The school also describes a restriction to morning provision from September 2025, despite giving times for both sessions.
Language, relationships and movement are the starting points of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) here. In parent terms, that means developing children’s ability to communicate, manage feelings, get along with others and build physical coordination. Early number understanding, phonics, understanding reading and learning to write sit alongside those foundations. The school aims to give children the confidence to attempt challenges and take part in learning.
Learning takes place inside and outdoors, with activities adjusted to children’s needs and interests. An outdoor pirate treasure hunt gives a concrete example of how play and language connect. During Ofsted’s June 2025 inspection, early-years children used vocabulary associated with their pirate topic while hunting for treasure with an adult. The activity gave new words a purpose.
In June 2025, children sustained their attention during independent activities and learned to cooperate in play. Writing was also part of their chosen play in the learning areas, with opportunities extending from forming letters to composing sentences. Those findings relate to early years across the school, rather than a separate nursery judgement. Across the school, writing remained an improvement priority, with curriculum changes still being evaluated.
The nursery teacher also holds the SENCo role, connecting classroom teaching with the coordination of special educational needs support. The nursery team includes both full-time and part-time nursery nurses, a full-time teaching assistant with a hygienist role, and a higher-level teaching assistant. These are distinct teaching and care roles within Lower Foundation Stage.
Before starting, new children are encouraged to visit and meet their teacher. Additional visits can be arranged for children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). This gives families a practical way to introduce an unfamiliar setting before regular attendance begins.
For children receiving SEND support, Pupil Passports and Support Plans involve parents in reviews each term. Speech and language needs may lead to referral to LINGO, the school’s in-house therapy service, with assessment on a termly basis. Support therefore has a named route and scheduled opportunities for families to discuss progress. Parents can also raise concerns with their child’s teacher or the pastoral team.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and does not confer priority under the adopted admission arrangements. Reception applications are considered separately, using criteria that include care status, catchment, siblings and distance. Familiarity with the school does not replace that application.
Wakefield residents apply through Wakefield Council; families living elsewhere use their home local authority. For September 2026 entry, the on-time deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle is now past. Parents must apply again for Reception through the normal admissions process, even when their child already attends the nursery.
Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am; the afternoon timetable is 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Nursery attendance totals 15 hours per week, and the part-time places are described as universal provision. Because the school also specifies morning-only operation from September 2025, confirm which session is operating before arranging childcare around an afternoon place.
Applications go directly to the academy office, which maintains a nursery waiting list. Visits can be arranged by calling 01977 519281 or emailing aioffice@aia.castlefordtrust.co.uk.
Uniform combines a blue sweatshirt or cardigan with a white shirt or polo, and black trousers, shorts or skirt; a blue school dress is another option. Families must tell the school who will bring and collect their child, provide two additional emergency contacts and communicate any changes to those arrangements.
Children are eligible in the term after their third birthday, with autumn, spring and summer intakes. Children born in April start in September, regardless of when Easter falls.
Morning sessions are 8:45am to 11:45am and afternoon sessions are timetabled for 12:15pm to 3:15pm. The school also describes morning-only operation from September 2025, so confirm the operating session before booking.
No. It neither guarantees a place nor gives nursery attendance priority under the adopted arrangements. A separate Reception application is required through the local authority.
Speak to the child’s teacher, the SENCo or the pastoral team. Children receiving SEND support have Pupil Passports and Support Plans reviewed with parents each term.
Contact the academy office directly on 01977 519281 or at aioffice@aia.castlefordtrust.co.uk. Nursery applications go through the school, and visits can be arranged through the office.
