Todmorden CofE J, I & N School: Woodlands Nursery

Woods behind the main school give Woodlands Nursery its defining feature. This nursery for children aged two to four occupies its own building, with Bunnies for two- and three-year-olds and Owls for three- and four-year-olds. The rooms separate the younger and older nursery stages while keeping both within the school’s provision.

An experienced early years teacher leads Owls. The woodland location comes with an enclosed outdoor play space, so outdoor activity has a place alongside the indoor reading, construction and imaginative play areas.

Play and adult teaching share the session. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers seven areas, bringing together relationships, communication, movement, reading and writing, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Topics grow from children’s interests and books, with teaching organised for individuals, small groups and the whole group. Continuous Provision means opportunities to explore resources independently alongside adult input.

Books have a clear role in Owls: children start with wordless reading books, have daily phonics lessons and make library visits each week. Read Write Inc supports early phonics and letter formation across nursery. Pencils, chalk and paintbrushes give children different ways to practise making marks. Maths involves practical exploration outside as well as indoors, including number, shapes and measures. This gives early learning several forms beyond sitting with an adult.

Weekly welly walks bring seasonal changes, plants, animals and road safety into learning. Children also work with paint, clay and wood, and explore music and dance. Twice-weekly PE sessions involve a coach. The woodland name therefore connects to actual outings and physical activity, rather than simply describing the building’s location.

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that early years reading and mathematics gave children a strong foundation, but science and foundation subjects needed clearer identification of the knowledge children should learn. Curriculum planning. That weakness affected progression into later learning; families should weigh the positive reading and maths findings alongside this specific concern.

A key worker system supports relationships with adults. Home learning links use Google Classroom and the 50 things to do before you’re 5 scheme, giving parents practical ways to continue activities beyond a session. An in-house speech and language practitioner can support children with emerging needs.

Healthy snacks and daily toothbrushing form part of early years routines. Hot lunches are served each day, and staff work with parents on potty training. These are useful practical details for families choosing provision for a younger child.

The school’s SEND arrangements include planned additional help and family involvement in an Individual Learning and Development Plan (ILDP). Parents join planning and review discussions, so support includes a shared process for considering the child’s development.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat that application as a separate task when planning the move to school.

Owls has transition opportunities with the school’s Reception class. That provides a link with the next stage, but transition activities and the allocation of a place are separate matters.

Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoons run from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Families can combine mornings and afternoons across the week, with additional privately paid sessions alongside funded hours. For eligible two-year-olds, funding may cover 15 hours weekly during term time; three-year-olds may receive 15 or 30 hours from the term following their third birthday. Ask the school for current charges for extra sessions and meals.

Wraparound care extends the day from 7:00am to 6:00pm through breakfast and after-school clubs in the upstairs part of Woodlands. Club bookings use the Gateway App and must be made in advance. Nursery children are handed individually to their collecting adult, and an adult must bring and collect them at the front door. To arrange a nursery visit or discuss a booking pattern, contact the office on 01706 812019 or office@todmorden-jun.calderdale.sch.uk.