Saltergate Infant School Nursery Review

Drawing, storytelling and daily music give Discovery Learning its early years character. This is Saltergate Infant School’s nursery in Harrogate, taking children from age 2 until they start school. A nursery teacher forms part of the Discovery Learning team.

We hold no published inspection grade for it.

Two three-hour sessions shape the day: mornings run from 8:50am to 11:50am, and afternoons from 12:05pm to 3:05pm. Families can also choose a full day.

Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In parent terms, this brings together learning to communicate, becoming physically capable and developing relationships and emotional understanding, alongside early reading, maths, creativity and discovering the world. Discovery Learning’s maths approach follows the guidance for this foundation stage.

Making things gives children decisions to take. Across EYFS, children explore textures and materials, build at different scales and choose tools for their designs. Developing hand control sits alongside sharing ideas and changing a design. Early writing begins with making marks, drawing and telling stories, with opportunities both outside and indoors. Outdoor physical activity is also part of the daily EYFS routine, so learning includes movement as well as making.

Music adds another way to experiment. EYFS children sing each day, play with sounds and move to music; weekly music lessons sit alongside those daily experiences. Percussion instruments, voices and body sounds help them explore repeating patterns. French introduces simple phrases and counting up to 5 through games, stories and songs. These are practical beginnings: listening, joining in and trying sounds.

Science learning follows children’s interests, including nature and seasonal changes. Photographs and discussion also introduce comparisons between old and new clothing and transport, giving children concrete starting points for talking about change.

Settling starts with visits and settling-in sessions arranged after families complete a Parental Agreement Form. That gives the first nursery experiences their own place in the joining process.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), Saltergate’s school-wide approach involves parents and the special educational needs coordinator (SENDCO) in identifying needs and planning support. Teaching assistants may provide additional help, with advice from other agencies. Support can be short term or involve a longer plan, depending on the child.

Before nursery, Discovery Sprouts gives parents and young children a separate opportunity to play together in the WISH Room. This free baby and toddler group runs on Mondays during term time; it is a group for families, rather than a nursery session.

Attending Discovery Learning does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through North Yorkshire Local Authority.

For September 2027 entry, applications open on 12th October 2026 and close on 15th January 2027. The application can be completed through North Yorkshire’s online admissions route. Treat this as a separate deadline from arranging nursery sessions: joining Discovery Learning and applying for school are different steps.

Discovery Den extends care beyond the nursery sessions. Breakfast Club runs from 8:15am to 8:50am. After School Club starts at 3:05pm, with collection options at 4:00pm, 4:30pm, 5:00pm or 6:00pm. These clubs carry separate charges; contact the school for current charges.

Funding depends on age and eligibility. All children have a universal entitlement of 15 hours a week from the term after their third birthday. Eligible working parents of children aged 3–4 can receive an additional 15 hours, making 30 in total. For 2-year-olds, families receiving additional support can qualify for 15 hours across 38 weeks, while eligible working families can qualify for 30 hours a week. Working-parent eligibility must be reconfirmed every 3 months.

To enquire about Discovery Learning, email info@sgs.rklt.co.uk or speak to the office. A waiting-list form is also available for children who are not yet 2 or whose families want a later start. The school is on Newby Crescent, Harrogate, HG3 2TT; the office telephone number is 01423 508552.