Cherry Tree Academy Nursery Review

Language gives Cherry Tree Academy’s nursery its clearest character: early-years staff have Elklan training and use the Shrek approach to develop children’s communication. This is nursery provision within Cherry Tree Academy on Cobblers Lane in Pontefract. At the Ofsted inspection on 30 and 31 January 2024, early years was graded Good, a judgement covering the school’s early-years provision.

Practice and conversation shape the learning. In January 2024, early-years activities gave children opportunities to return to what they had learned and use it again, helping their understanding take hold. Adults understood children’s next developmental steps and used that knowledge in their exchanges with them. The emphasis was on reinforcing learning through activity and interaction.

Language teaching reaches beyond a single activity. Adults demonstrated language throughout their interactions, helping children understand more and extend their vocabulary. For parents, that means the conversation around an activity matters alongside the activity itself: children have opportunities to hear and use more words as they learn.

Elklan training comes from speech and language professionals. Alongside the Shrek approach, the early-years team is working towards the Communication Friendly Setting (CFS) award. That is an aim, rather than an award already achieved. The school’s language progression begins in Nursery, giving communication an explicit place from the start.

Support for children sits alongside support for their families. The school’s Wellbeing Team helps parents with practical matters such as forms and bus routes, and can direct them towards outside services. A learning mentor also supports families dealing with bereavement or separation. These are school-wide routes families can use when circumstances at home affect their child.

For special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school aims to adapt routines and learning to individual needs. Its approach includes targeted interventions and adjustments to help children participate; staff also support sensory and physical needs. Parents can reach the special educational needs coordinator through the school office.

Safeguarding concerns have a direct contact route: cherrytreesafeguarding@watertonacademytrust.org. School staff receive safeguarding training each year, with induction training for new colleagues. Early Help is offered to pupils and families through work with other agencies, providing a route to support when difficulties begin to emerge.

Separate applications. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception process. Wakefield Council coordinates primary applications for schools in the Wakefield and Pontefract area, and applications can be made online. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two distinct decisions.

Nursery enquiries go through the school office on 01924 967603 or cherrytreeoffice@watertonacademytrust.org. Office hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Across the school, My Child at School (MCAS) handles bookings and payments, with both an app and a browser version. Parents can update permissions, view attendance and book parents’ evening appointments. This gives families a single system for those routine administrative tasks.