Malton Primary Academy Nursery Review

Pine cones become pretend food, familiar objects prompt imaginative play, and stories lead to cooking: practical exploration gives Malton Primary Academy’s early years its character. Busy Bees is the nursery class within the school’s early years team, with provision for three- and four-year-olds.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 5 and 6 November 2024. This covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Learning combines play with direct teaching. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers seven areas: communication, physical skills and social and emotional development sit alongside maths, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. For parents, that means learning extends beyond early reading and number work to how children express themselves, relate to others and explore ideas.

The Curiosity Approach adds a concrete emphasis on familiar objects and materials children can use in different ways. Loose parts become ingredients for pretend meals, with pine cones standing in for carrots or sausages. Choosing an object by its colour, shape or texture gives children something specific to think about and discuss. The school aims to connect these experiences with everyday life at home.

Indoor and outdoor environments are part of this approach. Work on the senses includes exploring light and shadow, scents and sounds, with the aim of creating cosy spaces and connections between the two environments.

In November 2024, early years children made porridge while exploring Goldilocks and the Three Bears, describing its flavour, aroma and texture with increasingly ambitious language. Visits to a local café and library also helped children understand their surroundings. These are useful examples of learning through experiences children can talk about afterwards.

A nursery class lead works within an early years team that includes an EYFS lead and achievement support assistants. Families also have access to the school’s SEND coordinator. The school involves parents in planning support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, giving families a role in decisions about provision.

The Snug provides a physical place for parental support: the pastoral and safeguarding lead is available there each morning, or by telephone. That gives parents a direct route to discuss worries with the wider school team.

For additional learning support, the school uses classroom help, individual work or small groups according to need, and keeps parents informed. School meal booking uses ParentPay; questions about packed lunches go to main reception.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the normal deadline. North Yorkshire Council coordinates school admissions in the Malton area, while Hull Collaborative Academy Trust is the admissions body for its schools.

Keep the choice of nursery and the Reception application as separate decisions. Familiarity with the school does not secure the next place.

Morning and afternoon sessions form the nursery’s session model, with ten sessions a week. Contact the school office for nursery enquiries on 01653 692582 or email info-malton@hcat.org.uk. The school is on Highfield Road, Malton, YO17 7DB.

Refer to the school for current session charges. This is a session-based choice, so consider how morning or afternoon attendance fits your family’s routine.