Stanningley Primary School Nursery

Play, planting and songs give Stanningley’s nursery its character. Children join from the term following their third birthday, beginning their learning through play and exploration. This is the nursery within Stanningley Primary School, on Leeds and Bradford Road in Pudsey.

Families can choose morning or afternoon attendance, or a pattern spread across two and a half days. That gives parents different ways to fit early learning into the week, although preferences depend on places being available.

Practical discovery runs through the early years foundation stage (EYFS) plans: children explore changes in playdough, observe the seasons and plant bulbs in the school grounds. These are concrete ways to connect new vocabulary with things children can handle and watch changing. Growing gives learning a continuing thread.

The early years science plan also includes sorting natural materials and discussing what children notice outdoors. An Early Years outdoor area has equipment funded by Friends of Stanningley School, bringing physical resources into that exploration. Inside, the early years art plan includes paint, crayons and chunky pencils, giving children different ways to make marks and express ideas.

In May 2024, Ofsted found that early years adults assessed children’s understanding accurately and used it to plan activities that developed their learning. One example linked Jack and the Beanstalk with growing beans and writing about the experience. That finding concerns early years collectively. A nursery-specific example adds another dimension: a story bus visited in September 2025, bringing a book-related experience into nursery life.

Settling begins with contact from the nursery team when a place becomes available. Staff arrange both the starting date and a visit to the family’s home. This creates an opportunity to discuss the child before nursery attendance begins.

For additional needs, the school’s support process uses Assess, Plan, Do, Review: identify what help is needed, put a plan into practice, then revisit it. Parents should first raise developmental concerns with the class teacher; the SENDCo provides a further route for discussion. Families contribute to termly SEND reviews, so support planning includes their experience at home.

Physical access is also relevant to choosing a setting. Classrooms are on the ground floor, and the school has ramps and accessible facilities. These features give families with mobility needs a concrete basis for considering access.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the Leeds City Council admissions portal within the normal application timetable. Treat this as a separate decision from accepting a nursery place.

Transition support has a different purpose from admission. The school’s SEND information report describes play sessions for children starting Reception, contact with previous nursery staff and key workers, and books that introduce the new setting. Meetings with parents and professionals help staff understand additional needs before the change.

Morning nursery runs from 8:30 to 11:30; afternoon nursery runs from 12:15 to 15:15. The alternative two-and-a-half-day pattern covers the 15-hour funded entitlement. Places for eligible working families using 30 hours of funded childcare are limited, and a preferred session cannot be guaranteed.

Contact the school office on 0113 255 7677 or school.office@stanningleyprimary.com for nursery enquiries. Nursery open events and individually arranged tours provide opportunities to meet staff and explore early years classrooms before choosing.