Marsden Infant and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Stories, outdoor construction and growing independence give this nursery its character. In June 2024, Ofsted found that children began Nursery positively, with familiar routines and warm adult relationships, although the early years provision required improvement. That combination matters: there are clear strengths in children’s experience, alongside weaknesses in how learning is planned and supported.

This is Marsden Infant and Nursery School’s own nursery on Brougham Road. Children can start in the term after turning three, subject to space. Attendance can be arranged across mornings, afternoons or blocks of days, with a full-time pattern for eligible families. It gives parents several ways to organise the nursery week.

A morning or afternoon session lasts three hours, with an optional Lunch Club between them. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for building children’s knowledge and skills. Here, storytelling supports speaking and listening, while outdoor learning gives children opportunities to cooperate and become more independent. In June 2024, children collaborated on building a tunnel on a ramp: a concrete example of working together towards a shared goal.

BarefootComputing is the named approach used in EYFS computing. Its activities introduce ways of thinking through problems, connecting computing with skills children can use in everyday situations. The EYFS curriculum page also links families to Development Matters.

Learning consistency. In June 2024, the sequence of learning was clearer in some areas than others. Adults monitored children’s development carefully, but their conversations and guidance did not consistently focus on the intended learning. Consequently, progress varied across the provision. The improvement required was specific: staff needed to understand what each activity should teach so their interactions helped children learn more effectively.

Lunch Club is supervised by early years practitioners the children already know. Nursery children bring a packed lunch; the club supplies lunchtime care rather than a meal. Families can instead collect after the morning session and bring their child back for the afternoon. This makes staying through lunchtime a choice.

For children with SEND, the school’s arrangements include support plans setting out individual needs and teaching strategies. Its SEND policy uses an assess, plan, do and review cycle, with Individual Education Plan targets revisited each term and parents involved in reviewing progress. The SENDCo can be contacted through the office, giving families a clear route into discussions about support.

Physical care facilities include an accessible toilet and changing table beside the Foundation Stage Unit’s main entrance, plus ramps leading outside. Access. The SEND policy identifies difficulties reaching upstairs spaces for wheelchair users and people with physical disabilities. Some activities can move downstairs, but families affected by this constraint should consider how it relates to their child’s day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no admission priority at this school. The nursery admissions policy makes that separation explicit. Parents must submit a separate Reception application, with admission handled by the local authority.

For September 2027 entry, applications go through Kirklees School Admissions. After places are confirmed in April, the school begins its transition arrangements: children have visits, while parents receive a welcome pack and an information evening. These help families prepare for the change; they do not confer an admissions advantage.

The nursery timetable gives mornings as 8.45am to 11.45am and afternoons as 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Lunch Club runs from 11.45am to 12.15pm. Timetable discrepancy. The November 2024 nursery admissions policy gives different session and lunch timings, so confirm the applicable timetable when arranging attendance.

Booking choices include mornings or afternoons, an early-week block covering Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, or a late-week block covering Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday. Eligible families can request 30 hours. Preferences depend on space.

The universal funded offer covers 15 hours weekly across 38 weeks; an additional 15 hours depends on government eligibility. Lunch Club sits outside funded hours, is charged separately and is paid for at the beginning of each term. Contact the school for current charges.

Enquiries and visits can be arranged on 01484 845124 or through office@marsdeniandnschool.co.uk. Uniform is required, and clothing should be labelled. Bridge Schoolwear supplies it; Uniform Exchange provides another route for families needing help obtaining items.