Guiseley Primary School Nursery

Pirate ships built outside, bread baked after a story and puppets bringing sea creatures to life: books give Guiseley’s nursery children plenty to do with their hands as well as their imaginations. The provision takes children aged two to four, with entry from the term after their second birthday. It forms the school’s Foundation Stage Zero and One on Oxford Road.

A large open-plan indoor area sits alongside outdoor space reserved for nursery children. That gives the youngest children their own place to explore within the wider school. The team includes a nursery manager and qualified teachers, supported by Early Years practitioners and teaching assistants.

Play and adult-led learning share the day. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum puts talking, physical development and learning to manage feelings and relationships first, alongside early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Children can choose resources indoors and outside; adults extend their thinking through questions and conversation.

Stories become practical projects. In summer 2026, Pirates Love Underpants prompted eye-patch making and outdoor ship construction, while hanging washing with pegs exercised small hand movements. Rainbow fish led to puppet storytelling and conversations about sharing and jealousy. A visit from Walk on the Wild Side brought snakes, lizards and guinea pigs into the children’s learning about animal care.

Dough Disco and Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle connect movement with preparation for mark making. Nursery literacy also includes listening skills, initial sounds and practice joining and separating sounds in words. These are foundations for later reading. At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that early-years learning developed number understanding and vocabulary, with adults helping children practise unfamiliar words.

Settling starts with opportunities to get acquainted: the school offers children visits and stay-and-play sessions, alongside parent information sessions and visits at home or to another setting. During autumn 2025, nursery activities focused on learning routines, getting to know one another and talking about feelings through books. Tapestry links home and nursery, allowing families and staff to share experiences that inform learning.

For children staying a full day, a school lunch is an option with a separate charge; nursery lunches are excluded from the universal infant meal scheme. Packed lunches provide an alternative, and families should tell the office about special dietary needs. Nursery milk carries no charge.

SEND enquiries go to the school’s coordinator at sen@guiseleyprimary.org. School links include speech and language therapists and the Leeds City Council Complex Needs Service. The June 2023 report identified a school-wide concern that SEND strategies were checked too infrequently, so families discussing support should establish how its impact will be reviewed.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. The September 2025 admission arrangements also gave no priority for nursery attendance. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority; Leeds families use www.leeds.gov.uk/apply. For the September 2026 intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle is now past.

Preparation for a new class is a separate matter from securing admission. In the closing weeks of the school year, children and parents have opportunities to meet the next teaching team. This supports familiarity with the people involved in the next stage, while the Reception application remains essential.

Morning nursery runs from 8:45am to 11:45am; the afternoon runs from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Parents choose sessions subject to space. Additional paid sessions are booked for the whole half term, so the commitment extends beyond an individual day.

The nursery funding information describes 15 funded hours for children following their third birthday, with eligibility for up to 30 depending on family circumstances. A 30-hour code can cover nursery sessions or up to 15 hours at Sunrise and Sunset. Benefit-related funding for eligible two-year-olds is also described. Confirm eligibility and current charges before booking.

Sunrise and Sunset accepts nursery children from age two, extending childcare from 7:30am to 6pm, with Friday collection by 5:30pm. Holiday cover depends on families’ requirements. Apply for nursery using the application form or through the office at office@guiseleyprimary.org. Nursery families use the West Villa Road gates; tell the class teacher if someone different will collect your child.