Tranmere Park Primary School Nursery Review

Ducklings has a teaching team and a settling programme that can extend beyond a single taster session. This is Tranmere Park Primary School’s preschool provision in Guiseley, with a lead teacher and support staff.

The school’s early years provision received a Good judgement at Ofsted’s October 2022 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate Ducklings nursery rating.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the curriculum framework. Tranmere Park’s early years learning behaviours focus on how children learn, giving attention to their approach to activities alongside the knowledge they develop. In October 2022, children in early years showed curiosity and resilience and were learning to manage their feelings. For parents, that places emotional development alongside learning as part of the early years experience.

Cooking and language learning feature in the school’s broader EYFS curriculum. The Design Technology handbook includes an annual cookery unit for early years, connecting practical work with learning about food. French also starts in EYFS, beginning with speaking and listening before reading and writing develop later. These are school early years curriculum features, rather than a promise that Ducklings follows the older children’s lesson timetable.

Art materials for EYFS activities are kept within the Early Years unit. That gives creative work a concrete place in the school’s curriculum resources, alongside the practical emphasis of cooking.

Settling starts with an opportunity for children and parents to meet the nursery team and explore the provision at an open day. After acceptance, a taster or transition session helps introduce the new setting. More sessions can be arranged when needed, allowing the introduction to respond to the child rather than ending after one visit.

Additional needs are discussed before entry. Staff gather information from parents, with a meeting involving the nursery manager and special educational needs coordinator (SENDCo) where required. This gives families a specific route for explaining support needs before their child starts.

The school also has a sensory room with sensory equipment and a carpeted space for a break from classroom activity. This is a school facility, rather than a Ducklings room. Parents in early years received regular communication that was judged effective in October 2022.

Attending Ducklings does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Leeds City Council in the normal admissions round and meet the deadline for their entry year.

There is an important distinction for future applicants: the policy labelled 2027/28 places children registered with Ducklings in Priority 3, below the first two priority categories. If applications within that category exceed available places, children living closer receive preference. The document carries an April 2027 adoption date, so families should distinguish that future policy from arrangements governing an earlier intake.

Transition support is separate from allocation. Reception preparation includes parent evenings and pupil or home visits; once a place is confirmed, staff can gather information about additional needs and plan adaptations before entry.

For Ducklings enquiries, contact the school office at secretary@tranmerepark.leeds.sch.uk or on 01943 875050. The school is on Ridge Close, Guiseley. The office provides a direct starting point for contacting the nursery team, while Reception applications follow the separate council route.