Ark the Rookeries Carleton Primary School Nursery

Chalked hopscotch, children adding their own numbers and a group taking turns: the January 2023 early years findings give a concrete picture of learning at The Rookeries. Number knowledge becomes something children can use in a game, alongside the social work of following rules and waiting for a turn.

The nursery forms part of Ark the Rookeries Carleton Primary School in Carleton, Pontefract. At the inspection on 10 and 11 January 2023, Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Language gives the learning its direction. In January 2023, adults developed children's vocabulary through activities and deliberately returned to the knowledge they wanted children to retain. For a parent, the useful distinction is between simply keeping children occupied and giving their play a clear learning purpose: here, the early years findings describe the latter.

The early years curriculum broke learning into small stages, building on what children already understood. Adults checked their knowledge, recall and practical abilities, then connected the intended learning to the opportunities around them. This describes the work of early years education in concrete terms: helping children build understanding gradually and use it for themselves.

Independent activity mattered too. Children used the broader learning environment for themselves and sustained their attention while working on tasks. The hopscotch example brought several elements together: making the game, adding numbers, observing its rules and playing with others. It also showed children applying learning beyond an adult's direct instruction. These are January 2023 findings, rather than a promise that the same activity happens in every session.

Established routines supported children's independence in January 2023, and their behaviour was exceptionally positive. Predictable routines matter because children can concentrate on what they are doing rather than repeatedly working out what comes next.

Inclusion was also a feature of the early years curriculum. Adults checked what children could do and built learning from their existing knowledge. For families, that makes the starting point significant: the teaching described in the early years findings responded to children's understanding, while keeping ambitious expectations for their learning.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place at the school. Nursery admission and Reception admission are separate processes, so families must apply again through the normal Reception application route and meet the relevant deadline.

Keep that distinction central to the decision. Choosing the nursery means choosing the early years experience described here; it should not be treated as securing the next school place.

The school is on Carleton Road, Pontefract, WF8 3NP. Nursery enquiries can be directed to the school office by telephone on 01977 600368 or by email at admin@rookeries.patrust.org.uk. These provide a direct contact route for families considering the nursery.