Market Weighton Infant School Nursery Review

Forest School excursions, gardening and bread-making inspired by The Little Red Hen give this nursery a practical, hands-on character. Play provides the starting point, with group teaching adding new ideas for children to explore independently.

For children aged 3–4, the provision is Foundation Stage 1 within Market Weighton Infant School, on Princess Road. Nursery is also known as Class 1. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at its March 2024 inspection; that judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Group sessions introduce early maths and literacy, then children can develop those ideas through activities they choose themselves. Sensory exploration, pretend play and movement sit alongside these teaching sessions. The balance gives children both a shared starting point and room to follow their interests.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, relationships and physical development with early reading, maths, creative expression and understanding the world. Here, that means concrete activity: spooning and pegging exercise small hand movements, while cycling, sweeping and balancing involve the whole body. Early phonics uses Read Write Inc. Maths Mastery thinking shapes the approach to mathematics.

Outdoor learning runs through the curriculum rather than being confined to separate playtimes. Equipment sheds allow children to select resources for their own projects; possible challenges include making a boat or working out how to help a wilting plant. Magnetic shapes and a light box provide another way to investigate shape. Forest School excursions and gardening take learning into the natural world, while the large school hall accommodates musical activities.

Stories also lead to making and discussion. Nursery children have made bread while exploring The Little Red Hen. The Diversity Programme includes Astro Girl, Happy In Our Skin and What Happened To You?, introducing conversations about ambition and difference through picture books.

The March 2024 inspection also identified a school-wide curriculum concern: foundation subjects were taught and monitored inconsistently, with less developed checks on understanding in art and geography. In some subjects, pupils were learning less of the planned content than they could. Subject leaders needed to develop their skills in monitoring the curriculum's impact. This is a useful distinction between the activities children experience and how consistently their learning is checked.

Daily emotional check-ins have a concrete place in early years. In March 2024, children used check-in boards and snack time to express their feelings, giving them regular opportunities to put emotions into words.

Tapestry connects home and nursery through a secure learning journal. Photographs, video and written observations record children's experiences, and parents receive their own login when their child starts. Families can contribute observations too, helping staff understand what children do beyond nursery.

Speech and language concerns can lead to advice, resources, a screening checklist and referral for specialist support before school entry. Staff also monitor children's development to decide whether they need additional help or a further challenge. EYFS staff training includes child protection, curriculum work and paediatric first aid.

Preparation for starting is practical: families are encouraged to attend visits and meetings, talk about their child's interests and practise managing coats, shoes, handwashing and toileting. These are preparation suggestions rather than a requirement to master everything before joining.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Familiarity with the school and preparation for learning should be considered separately from the allocation of a place.

The school office handles enquiries on 01430 873159 or at mwis@eastriding.gov.uk. Visits can be arranged through the office, giving families an opportunity to become familiar with the setting before starting.

Road access. The one-way section of Princess Road between Cliffe Road and the junior school has access restrictions from 8.15am to 9.15am and from 3pm to 4pm. Factor those windows into travel arrangements. Step-free access to the main entrance follows a slope from the car park, which matters for families using pushchairs or mobility aids.