Martin Frobisher Infant School Nursery

Seek and Explore gives this nursery its character: children help shape their learning, choose resources and carry their ideas between indoor and outdoor spaces. At Martin Frobisher Infant School in Altofts, nursery attendance starts from the term following a child's third birthday. The provision has up to 39 children in each session, with 78 part-time places across mornings and afternoons.

A teacher, nursery nurse and teaching assistants make up the nursery team, with staffing adjusted to numbers and a stated ratio of one adult to 13 children. Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 28 and 29 June 2022.

Play provides the structure for learning. Adults organise activities and join children's play, while children also pursue their own interests. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning about language, movement, relationships, books, numbers, the world and creative expression. Here, communication, physical development and emotional and social learning receive the initial emphasis: the foundations for joining in and becoming more independent.

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides a specific starting point for early reading. Nursery children use its Foundations for Phonics guidance, practising spoken blending through stories and rhymes. That means working on hearing and joining sounds, with language development central to the activity. Planned movement and hand-control activities also build the coordination needed for later writing.

Indoor provision includes places for energetic activity and quieter reflection. Resources are positioned for children to select themselves, and children can move materials between indoors and outdoors to develop an idea. Outdoor activities address the EYFS learning areas through sensory exploration and physical activity. Choice has a practical purpose: children can extend their play rather than wait for an adult to supply everything.

The June 2022 inspection found carefully planned early years learning and activities linked to the curriculum, but identified uneven staff understanding of the curriculum and teaching approaches. Some interactions consequently missed chances to deepen learning. Teaching consistency. This was an early years improvement priority, relevant to how adults turn everyday play into learning.

Each child has a key person, linking individual care and learning with support for parents at home. Evidence Me carries progress updates, alongside consultations and reports each term. This gives families several ways to discuss development and contribute observations from home.

Preparation for children with SEND includes nursery transition home visits, discussions with parents and contact with agencies or previous childcare settings. The Foundation Stage Leader also works with families before children start. These conversations help staff plan around individual needs before nursery begins.

Support can include visual timetables, ear defenders and task boards. The school has a sensory room accessible to all its children, giving nursery families a concrete shared resource. The key person and SEND coordinator can help families engage specialist support where appropriate.

Food arrangements include a school policy prohibiting nuts and food swapping, important safeguards for children with allergies. Families with dietary requirements use a Special Dietary Requirement Form through the office. Early years activities also cover toothbrushing and the effects of sugary foods, connecting everyday care with learning about health.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application for main school, with admissions managed by Wakefield Local Authority. Treat that application as a distinct step rather than assuming the nursery place carries forward.

Transition support is a separate matter. Nursery and Reception staff communicate and work together to support the move, so information about a child can inform the next stage. That continuity of staff communication should not be confused with an admissions entitlement.

Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoons run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Eligible children can attend for up to 30 hours. Alongside that offer, an additional charged hour allows children to remain until 3.30pm; contact the school for current charges.

The nursery application lets parents choose morning, afternoon or either, but the preference is not guaranteed. Before starting, families must provide a birth certificate or passport and proof of residence. The form also gathers information about toileting, allergies, medication and other support needs.

Apply through the nursery application page or contact the office on 01924 897814. Prospective families can arrange a guided school tour by telephone. The uniform requirement begins at Reception, so it does not apply to nursery children.