Hendal Primary School Nursery Review

Language, independence and familiar routines give Hendal’s Lion Cubs nursery its character. This is the school’s own provision for three-year-olds, on Hendal Lane in Kettlethorpe, Wakefield, and forms part of its Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children begin their school experience in a nursery class with teaching, classroom support and emotional literacy support represented in the team.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 19 and 20 November 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Communication runs through the learning. In November 2024, children across early years developed curiosity and confidence, with adults using activities to build their language. For parents, that means talking and understanding are part of the learning throughout a session, rather than an isolated exercise. Established routines give children a familiar structure.

Both indoor learning spaces and the outdoor environment are arranged to encourage children to do things for themselves. Personal and social development is another strength: learning involves building relationships and confidence as well as acquiring knowledge. These are useful foundations for a child beginning group education.

Hendal also names Experiential Learning as a school curriculum approach, meaning learning through practical experience. Across the school, examples include cooking, handling artefacts and exploring gardens. The early years curriculum has a qualification, however: in November 2024, the steps children were expected to learn were sometimes insufficiently clear, limiting how successfully activities developed their learning.

Adult relationships were a strength across early years in November 2024. The nursery’s staffing structure includes teachers, a teaching assistant and a nursery nurse with an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) role. The assistant headteacher also combines nursery teaching with responsibility for EYFS and special educational needs coordination, bringing those responsibilities into the nursery team.

Emotional support starts early. Hendal describes three accredited ELSAs working across the school, including nursery, so this support is part of the provision for its youngest children. Classrooms also contain a Mindful Toolkit with resources and strategies for children and staff.

For concerns about speech or language, the class teacher is the contact identified by the school. Parents can reach the special educational needs coordinator through the office, giving families a route for discussing additional needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the relevant deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions; attendance should not be taken as an assurance of admission.

Two three-hour sessions structure the timetable: Nursery AM runs from 8.30am to 11.30am, while Nursery PM runs from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Hendal also advertises part-time and full-time nursery places. The morning and afternoon times provide concrete collection points for planning the family day.

Nursery uniform includes a blue polo, a navy jumper or cardigan, grey bottoms and black shoes. A blue-and-white gingham dress is another option. Clothing should carry the child’s name, and coats need hanging hooks.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01924 259465 or office@hendal.wakefield.sch.uk. The school also invites contact about visits.