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Nursery at Middlestown Primary Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A separate toddler building gives Middlestown’s youngest children their own space within the school grounds. Little Hands Pre-School opened in January 2026 for two-year-olds, with a modular building and its own outdoor learning area. Alongside it, Lower Foundation is the school’s nursery provision for children joining from the term after their third birthday. These are distinct stages of the early years offer.
Ofsted’s November 2025 inspection judged the school’s early years provision to meet the Expected standard. That judgement predates the opening of Little Hands, so it should be read as an assessment of the early years provision operating then.
Play drives the Foundation Stage curriculum. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers seven learning areas through exploration, practical experiences and investigations chosen by children. Outdoor resources allow children to devise games together, giving them reasons to talk, negotiate and share ideas. Little Hands has resources designed for toddlers within its smaller setting, rather than simply placing younger children in the older children’s space.
In Lower Foundation, Phase One phonics happens in small groups twice daily. Environmental sounds, rhyme, body percussion and oral blending feature in this work: children practise listening to sounds and hearing how speech fits together. Early years mathematics uses objects children can handle to explore counting and recognise numerals, then apply those ideas during play.
Foundation activities have included reading The Best Diwali Ever, creating Mehndi patterns and making Coconut Ladoos to taste. Visits from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have brought a fire engine and hose into the learning experience. Such examples give children concrete things to discuss.
Adult interaction. In November 2025, vocabulary modelling and conversations during play were uneven in quality. Children consequently missed some chances to extend their language. More consistent adult interaction was the required improvement, a significant consideration for families choosing provision where talk is a central learning priority.
Settling begins with familiar adults nearby. Lower Foundation starters receive two sessions to play alongside a parent or carer, a home visit and an invitation for parents to attend a welcome meeting. Children can gradually work towards a complete morning. Little Hands also offers every new child a home visit, allowing relationships with staff to begin in familiar surroundings.
Seesaw is used for Lower Foundation activities and information. In November 2025, early years staff gave parents frequent learning updates, with stay-and-play, phonics workshops and Breakfast with Books providing further opportunities to participate. Adults also worked intensively with children facing learning barriers, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged children, to involve them in purposeful learning.
Little Hands is staffed by early years specialists. The wider team includes an Early Years Lead and a nursery nurse, giving families identifiable roles for discussions about learning and care.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Middlestown. Families must make a separate application through Wakefield Local Authority and meet the deadline for their application year. Applications can be made online, or families can request a paper form from the admissions team. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.
Lower Foundation mornings run from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoons run from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Part-time and full-time attendance are offered, with flexibility and ad hoc sessions on request. Lower Foundation children can access 15 or 30 funded hours, subject to eligibility for the extended entitlement.
Nursery applications go directly to the school. For enquiries, telephone 01924 278290 or email admin@middlestown.accordmat.org. Families interested in Little Hands are invited to visit and meet the team. Contact the school for current charges.
Little Hands Pre-School provides for two-year-olds. Children can join Lower Foundation from the term after their third birthday.
The morning session is 8.45am to 11.45am, and the afternoon session is 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Flexibility and ad hoc sessions are offered on request.
Lower Foundation starters receive two stay-and-play sessions with a parent or carer, a home visit and a parent welcome meeting. Little Hands offers all new children a home visit too.
Lower Foundation children can access 15 or 30 hours. Eligibility applies to the extended 30-hour entitlement.
No. Families must apply separately to Wakefield Local Authority for Reception, meeting the deadline for their application year.
