St Bartholomew's Nursery Review

Sharing equipment, taking turns and practising new words give this nursery its character. At St Bartholomew's CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School on Strawberry Lane in Leeds, the emphasis starts with the skills children need to join in with others. This is the school's own nursery, admitting children from their third birthday, with capacity for 39 children per session.

Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection of 10 and 11 December 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Learning through play shapes the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) here. The early years team uses parachute activities for large movements, bubbles to help children regulate their emotions, and small teaching groups. Visual timetables and other visual prompts make routines easier to understand, giving children ways to follow the day beyond spoken instructions alone.

Language receives deliberate attention. Adults demonstrate new vocabulary and give children opportunities to practise it. Alongside this, nursery children learn how to wait for a turn and share resources. These are practical foundations for participating in group learning.

White Rose Maths supports planning across early years, with mathematics incorporated into learning areas so children can apply what they learn. Development Matters and the school's termly milestones guide assessment of foundational skills. The December 2024 inspection also identified inconsistent checks of understanding in some English and mathematics teaching, with a few early reading sessions also affected; gaps among younger pupils were not always addressed promptly.

Preparation begins before the first session. After a place is allocated, families receive information and an invitation to visit; a home visit is offered where possible. Parents can also join nursery stay and play sessions. Online learning journals allow families and staff to exchange activity photographs, while home learning challenges connect learning across home and nursery.

Warm relationships between nursery adults and children were an early years strength in December 2024. For additional needs, the school's support structure includes three qualified SEND coordinators, with responsibility for early years within the team. Its resources include a sensory room and the Rocket Room, a space for regulation and interventions. Individual Provision Maps record support, and families participate in reviews, giving them a concrete basis for discussing their child's needs.

Fruit, water and milk are provided during each session. Children attending full days can bring a packed lunch or have a purchased lunch; lunchtime supervision carries a separate charge for full-day attendance. Ask the school for current charges.

Toilet training. The nursery expects children to be toilet trained before starting, with exceptions for special educational needs or medical conditions, and works with families on a support plan where needed. Its policy excludes full-day sessions for children who are not fully toilet trained, so this directly affects the attendance pattern a family can choose.

A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority. For Leeds residents, the route is leeds.gov.uk/apply. The September 2026 entry cycle had a deadline of 15 January 2026; that date has passed.

Transition support and admission are separate matters. For children receiving additional SEND support, the school's arrangements include planning with families, sharing relevant information and, where appropriate, extra familiarisation visits or photo books. These help prepare a child for change without securing a school place.

Morning sessions run from 08:30 to 11:30, and afternoons from 12:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday. Families can instead request full days on Monday and Tuesday followed by Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon followed by full days on Thursday and Friday. Full days run from 08:30 to 15:30.

The standard entitlement is 15 funded hours from the term after a child turns three until primary school starts, described as five free sessions each week. A limited number of 30-hour places are offered to eligible families and are in high demand. Session preferences are discussed at registration, but cannot all be guaranteed; accepting a place involves completing a parental declaration.

Enquiries go directly to the school on 0113 263 9292 or info@stbartsleeds.org.uk. Nursery morning drop-off is between 08:30 and 08:40, with afternoon drop-off between 12:30 and 12:35. Collection is at 11:30 or 15:30 respectively. Uniform combines a red cardigan or jumper, a red or white polo shirt, and black or grey trousers or a skirt.