Asquith Primary School Nursery Review

Caterpillars starts with stories, action rhymes and play: the nursery at Asquith Primary School gives early language a clear place in the day. Children join after their third birthday, within the school's Foundation Stage provision on Horsfall Street in Morley, Leeds. Nursery has its own morning and afternoon sessions, making the timetable a practical starting point for families considering it.

The emphasis is on preparing children to listen, communicate and begin making sense of written language. Adult-guided activities sit alongside experiences children lead themselves. That balance gives children opportunities to pursue their interests as well as take part in learning shaped by staff.

Planning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with Development Matters informing themes across the year. For parents, the nursery's language and literacy activities make that framework concrete: children share poems and stories, practise listening carefully and join in familiar rhymes. These are foundations for reading rather than simply an early start on formal lessons.

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised shapes the school's early reading approach. In nursery, preparation includes oral blending, listening to spoken sounds and combining them into words. Action rhymes add movement to language learning. Children also hear familiar nursery rhymes sung in Spanish, introducing another language through something they already recognise.

Writing begins through play. Indoor learning areas and outdoor provision both give children opportunities to make marks for a purpose connected to their activity. This links early writing to what children are doing, rather than treating it only as a separate task.

Additional support sits within the school's inclusion arrangements. Learning mentors and teaching assistants provide targeted work for individual children and groups; the school can also adapt interventions to a child's particular needs. This gives families a route for discussing support around their child rather than relying solely on group provision.

Food arrangements operate at school level. Chartwells supplies meals, with sandwiches among the choices, and families should tell staff about allergies. Packed lunches must exclude nuts and nut products. Cool Milk administers milk, which is free for children until their fifth birthday. These details matter when organising food and sharing dietary needs.

Attending Asquith's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application for September Reception entry through Leeds City Council Admissions Team. Meeting the nursery's entry criteria does not mean a child will automatically receive a place in the school.

Language preparation and admission are separate matters. The nursery's listening activities, stories and oral blending prepare children for the next stage of reading, but that preparation does not secure their next school place.

Morning nursery runs from 8:45am to 11:45am; the afternoon session is 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The sessions finish at different times, so families need to plan around the nursery timetable.

Uniform applies to nursery children too. It combines a royal blue jumper, cardigan or sweatshirt with a white top and grey or black trousers, skirt or pinafore. For nursery entry, families complete an application form and supply evidence of their child's date of birth. Enquiries can go through the school contact form or the administration team on 0113 307 5550.