Marshlands Primary School Nursery

A morning of learning, with the afternoon left for home or additional childcare: that is the practical shape of nursery at Marshlands Primary School in Old Goole. The nursery runs in term time and offers 15 hours each week. It forms the school's Foundation 1 provision, also called F1, with its own gate for bringing children and collecting them.

Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 8 and 9 March 2023. That judgement covers the school's early years, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Language development, early number learning and opportunities to explore indoors and outdoors were strengths of that provision.

The session runs from 8.45am to 11.45am. Within the early years foundation stage, the emphasis in March 2023 was on developing communication and building knowledge progressively. Teachers checked how children's understanding and skills developed, giving learning a sequence rather than treating activities as isolated experiences. For parents, the useful distinction is that exploration sits alongside planned learning.

Number work had a clear purpose. In March 2023, children were learning about numbers and patterns, then remembering numerical facts. Communication received substantial attention too. These are practical foundations for children beginning to express their ideas and understand how numbers relate to one another.

Indoor learning areas and outdoor space supported children's exploration and their ability to learn independently. In March 2023, early years children also paid attention and followed established routines. Together, those findings describe a balance between opportunities to investigate and the shared habits needed to take part in a group.

Curriculum delivery. The March 2023 inspection also found uneven curriculum delivery in some school classes: unsuitable activities hindered learning, and staff needed training to address gaps in subject knowledge. This was a school-wide concern, not identified specifically as a nursery weakness. Ask how staff choose activities to support your child's learning.

Before starting, families are invited to a stay and play session. This gives a child an opportunity to experience nursery before their regular attendance begins. Parents add their child's details to the nursery admission records, allowing staff to contact them ahead of the start.

Support needs. The March 2023 inspection identified a school-wide concern about adjustments for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND): some did not give pupils the help they needed, affecting progress and independence. This was not identified specifically as a nursery weakness. For families whose child needs additional support, the practical consideration is how learning activities will be adapted for that child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must submit a separate Reception application to the local authority where they live, meeting its application deadline. The school allocates nursery places only; Reception applications remain a separate process even for children already attending F1.

For East Riding residents, the route is East Riding of Yorkshire Council's school admissions service. Families living elsewhere apply through their own local authority. Late applications are considered after those received on time, so nursery attendance should never replace making that application.

Morning childcare. Marshlands does not offer 30-hour nursery places. The school has links with the on-site Children's Centre, which can collect children and provide additional hours there. Families needing care beyond the morning therefore need a separate arrangement.

Nursery enquiries go through the school office. Intakes are in September, January and April, although a summer intake may not be possible if places fill during spring. To arrange a school visit, call 01405 765094.

Drop-off and collection use the F1 gate, which closes at 8.45am. A responsible adult must accompany nursery children and supervise them on site until they are inside nursery. Collectors must be aged 16 or over and authorised on the school's collection list; they remain responsible for supervision after the handover.