Halfway Nursery Infant School Nursery Review

Music turns into early writing at Halfway: Wiggle into a Squiggle uses music and song to support mark making, while Little Wandle introduces sound games and stories. These are foundations for learning, delivered alongside child-initiated play and activities planned by adults.

The nursery belongs to Halfway Nursery Infant School on Station Road in Sheffield. It caters for children aged three and four, with entry from the term following a child's third birthday. Capacity is 39 children in each session. Families can choose mornings, afternoons or full days, giving them different ways to fit nursery into family life.

A session begins with children identifying their name on a board and joining their key person for a game or activity. Calendar time brings discussion of seasons, weather and weekdays; a story can then provide the starting point for a small-group maths or literacy task. The structure gives children shared activities alongside opportunities to make their own choices.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning through play with adult guidance. Here, teachers and early years practitioners plan activities around children's development and interests, with learning taking place outside as well as inside. Teachers and teaching assistants support children during this provision and also work with small groups. Plans can change as activities develop.

Little Wandle's nursery work covers rhyme, listening, conversation and recognising sounds, building the skills children need before formal reading instruction. Wiggle into a Squiggle adds music to early writing practice. Stories and singing also feature in the session, which closes with Star of the Day celebrating effort, helpfulness, kindness or learning.

At the Ofsted inspection on 30 April and 1 May 2024, early-years children settled readily, showed independence and persisted when tasks became difficult; language and early maths received close attention. One child kept digging to find worms for others to examine, a concrete example of exploration and perseverance. Curriculum development. The same inspection identified a school-wide need to make curriculum changes more consistent through continued staff development. Families should read the positive early-years findings alongside that wider improvement action.

Key-person groups give children a regular adult connection within the session. For families, nursery curriculum maps arrive each half term, explaining forthcoming learning and suggesting ways to extend it at home. This offers a practical link between nursery activities and family conversations.

Snack brings a choice of fruit or vegetables, with water or milk; children can also use their water bottles during the session. Lunch takes place in a room adjoining nursery, with either a packed lunch or a charged school meal. Taylor Shaw supplies hot and cold choices and caters for medical and specific diets. Packed lunches must exclude nuts, sweets and fizzy drinks.

Support for additional needs can include individual intervention, work in smaller groups or extra help within class, planned through communication with parents. The school's partners include the Speech and Language Service and the 0-5 SEND team, giving staff access to specialist advice. Families can contact the SENCO through the office. Safeguarding concerns can also be raised with the safeguarding team through that route.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; the Admissions Team at Sheffield City Council manages entry to Foundation Stage 2, the school's name for Reception. Keep that application separate from nursery arrangements.

Transition is tailored to children's individual needs, including those joining from other settings. Virtual tours of Nursery and Reception offer another way to introduce the spaces to a child. These familiarisation opportunities are separate from the decision about allocating a place.

Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am; afternoons run from noon to 3pm. The lunch period is 11:30am to noon. Full days are also an option. Funding covers the statutory 15 Free Early Learning hours, with an extended 30 hours subject to eligibility; additional paid hours depend on availability. Ask the school for current charges.

Request a nursery application form or arrange a nursery visit through the office on 0114 248 2360. Places are allocated after application deadlines under Sheffield's admissions procedure, rather than by application order; families are then telephoned with the sessions offered.

Uniform is encouraged rather than compulsory for nursery children. A suitable coat is needed daily, with a sun hat in summer. Visitor parking is limited; families can use the Halfway tram car park, a short distance from school.