Greenmount Primary School Nursery Review

Talking, listening and learning through play give Greenmount’s nursery its character. Communication and language receive particular emphasis, with familiar stories, practical counting and time for children to pursue their own activities. This is the school’s own nursery on Lodge Lane in Beeston, Leeds, and children can start aged three.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 7 and 8 January 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings learning, development and care together. Here, a fresh theme each half term gives activities a shared starting point. Sessions combine teaching led by adults, focused work in small groups and play chosen by children. Learning is planned for both the indoor and outdoor classrooms, giving each space equal weight.

Books get time to become familiar. The same story is revisited daily over a week or longer, helping children practise new words and retell what happens. Floppy’s Phonics is the named programme, with Nursery concentrating on Phase 1: listening, speaking and orally joining or separating sounds. The emphasis is on foundations for reading rather than rushing into written words.

Maths Mastery uses practical experiences to introduce mathematical ideas. Nursery teaching draws on NCETM guidance for counting: matching a number to each object, keeping numbers in order and understanding that the final number tells you the total. Objects, rhymes, songs and games make those ideas tangible. Colour mixing is another example of learning a specific skill through practical activity.

In January 2025, adult-led learning included counting pieces of ice in a water tray, with adults demonstrating mathematical vocabulary. Adult interaction. Support during activities children chose themselves was less consistent, limiting opportunities to develop language and communication. The improvement required was more effective interaction during open-ended learning, a material consideration for parents drawn to the nursery’s emphasis on talk.

Before children start, staff speak with parents and previous settings and review earlier learning records. This gives the team a starting picture of each child’s experiences. During the first half term, conversations and observations help staff establish what children already understand and plan their next steps.

Some photographs and observations are shared through Tapestry, where parents can add comments. Families therefore have a way to respond to examples of learning. For concerns about learning or emotional and social needs, the school’s SENCo is available to meet parents and works with staff and outside agencies. In January 2025, screening beginning in early years identified children needing additional speech, language or communication support, followed by extra help.

School meals are offered to nursery children and carry a charge. The meal service caters for children’s dietary requirements, and dinners are paid for ahead of time through Arbor. Contact the school for current meal charges.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority. For Leeds residents, the route is www.leeds.gov.uk/apply; the school gives November to January as the application window and says applications after January go onto the SAM waiting list.

Leeds City Council is the school’s admissions authority. Keep the Reception application separate from the nursery application when planning the next stage: obtaining a nursery place does not complete that process.

Nursery enquiries and applications go through the school office. Families can complete an application form there, or email a Nursery Application Form to nursery@greenmountprimary.co.uk. The school’s telephone number is 0113 276 0771, and its address is Lodge Lane, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 6BA.