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Nursery at Kirkby in Malhamdale United Voluntary Aided Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play, conversation and independent choices give this teacher-led nursery its character. Kirkby in Malhamdale United Voluntary Aided Primary School takes nursery children from the term after their third birthday, subject to sufficient space. Children who turn four during the academic year receive priority over younger starters.
Class 1 provides the early-years learning base, organised into areas where children can keep exploring independently. This places the emphasis on choosing, trying and practising, alongside teaching directed by adults.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines activities chosen by children with tasks planned by adults. Communication, physical development and emotional and social development receive particular emphasis. Literacy, mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world complete the seven learning areas. In parent language, this means learning to talk, move, manage feelings and explore ideas alongside early reading and number work.
Development Matters and Birth to 5 years guide the curriculum. Children’s interests help shape topics, while adults use discussion and questions to extend their thinking. Indoor and outdoor learning areas support investigation and independent activity. Within Class 1, continuous provision means resources and learning opportunities remain accessible for children to use beyond direct adult teaching.
Language practice has concrete forms: children share news, discuss stories and use role-play and small-world play. Adults introduce vocabulary through conversation. Finger exercises, work with malleable materials and practice dressing develop the hand skills needed for later writing. These activities support mark-making and early writing.
Nursery phonics begins with careful listening and distinguishing sounds. Once children are secure with those skills, the Read, Write, Inc. Nursery scheme introduces the relationship between letters and sounds. Mathematics uses White Rose planning, with objects and pictures helping children explore ideas. The Curriculum for Life programme also extends to nursery, with an emphasis on independence, social skills and personal wellbeing.
Tapestry records children’s learning, skills and approaches to activities. Adults use daily observation and interaction across all areas of learning and development to plan individual next steps, and parents can contribute experiences and achievements from home. That gives family knowledge a place in planning rather than keeping learning entirely within the classroom.
For additional needs, the school partnership has a special educational needs coordinator and a deputy coordinator; families can arrange discussions through the office. Children needing medication or adaptations for health or other needs are supported within the school’s arrangements.
School lunches are prepared on site, following a rotating North Yorkshire County Catering menu. A main dish, dessert and homemade bread form the meal; a healthy packed lunch is another option. Midday supervisors oversee the dining room and lunchtime play. These are school-wide arrangements, relevant when planning a nursery day that includes lunch.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through North Yorkshire’s admissions service: registering interest with the school does not count as an application. The school office can assist with the online process.
The early-years team works together on continuity and transition. That educational connection is separate from the allocation of a Reception place, so families should treat the application as a fresh step.
The nursery offers the 30-hour funded entitlement for working families. Space constraints mean older nursery children take priority. Nursery registration involves confirming the intention to take a place with the nursery teacher or headteacher.
The wider school timetable runs from 9am to 3.30pm, with lunch at noon and afternoon teaching beginning at 1pm. These are school hours. Keep them distinct from the nursery booking arrangement when planning childcare.
Visits can be arranged through the school office on 01729 830214. A contact form provides another enquiry route. For outdoor activities, families provide waterproof clothing and wellies for the school’s forest area. The school uniform combines grey bottoms with a gold polo shirt and a red cardigan or jumper.
Children may start from the term after their third birthday if sufficient places are available. Those turning four during the academic year receive priority.
No. A separate application must go through North Yorkshire’s admissions service; expressing interest to the school is insufficient.
Children first practise listening and distinguishing sounds. When secure with those skills, they begin letter-and-sound work through the Read, Write, Inc. Nursery scheme.
Yes. Parents can share learning and achievements from home, and Tapestry is used to record children’s development and inform their next steps.
Contact the school office on 01729 830214 to make an appointment.
