Warley Road Primary Academy Nursery

Play and conversation give Bobbins Nursery and Spinners Nursery their character. These are Warley Road Primary Academy’s nursery groups in Halifax, taking children from two years old within the school’s early years provision. The nursery aims to develop independence and confidence through play, with adults responding to children’s interests rather than relying solely on group teaching.

Adults join children’s play and adapt their teaching to what children are doing and learning. At other points in a session, children gather for stories, singing and conversation with an adult. That gives the day two complementary shapes: time to explore with friends or independently, and shared activities where children practise listening and speaking.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven areas of development. Alongside language, physical skills and emotional development, children explore early mathematics, literacy, creativity and the world around them. The nursery uses a play-based approach to these areas. Playing with others gives children opportunities to practise communication and social skills while applying ideas introduced by adults. Speaking and listening are the nursery’s preparation for later reading.

In June 2023, Ofsted found that language development received close attention from the beginning of early years. Shared storytelling, singing and rhymes were daily activities. Language catch-up support addressed the needs of an intake in which most children began below expected levels of language development. For a parent whose child needs help communicating, this is a relevant strength of the early years provision.

Qualified teachers and early years practitioners lead the provision. The team also includes staff with paediatric first-aid, speech and language, and food-hygiene qualifications. A qualified speech and language therapist supports the early years, giving children access to specialist help alongside their everyday interactions with nursery adults.

Starting arrangements include a home visit and a settling-in session. These provide contact with the nursery before the start date. For additional needs, there is EYFS SENDCo support, and the class teacher is the first contact for day-to-day questions. Parents can request extra meetings as well as use the school’s regular feedback opportunities. Across the school site, controlled door access and locked gates during the day form part of the security arrangements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority. For September 2027 entry, the closing date is 15 January 2027, and the local authority sends the offer directly to parents.

For 2027-28, one oversubscription criterion covers pupils already on roll at an Impact Education primary school. That criterion should not be treated as a promise of a Reception place for a nursery child. Keep the nursery decision and the Reception application separate: joining Bobbins or Spinners does not create an automatic transfer.

Both nursery groups have a morning session from 8:40am to 11:40am and an afternoon session from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Those distinct start and finish times matter when planning collection around work or another child’s school day.

There are 15 and 30 hour places for children aged two upwards. For a three-year-old 30 hour funded application, parents must check their entitlement and supply a funding code. Two-year-old funding applications require confirmation of eligibility.

Nursery enquiries go to 01422 353724 or WRA-Office@warleyroad.co.uk. Families can arrange a visit, and help with application forms is offered. A visit gives parents an opportunity to discuss joining the provision with the team.