Sitlington Netherton Junior and Infant School Nursery Review

Stories retold to friends, practical number resources and language taster sessions give Netherton’s early years provision its character. The nursery belongs to Sitlington Netherton Junior and Infant School on Netherton Lane in Wakefield. Its learning sits within the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, with language opportunities woven through the day.

The EYFS shapes how learning is organised: English opportunities form part of children’s daily experiences rather than the separate English lessons used further up the school. For parents, that means looking at the whole day as a setting for developing language, rather than focusing only on a lesson timetable.

Little Wandle is the named programme for daily early years phonics. Its lesson sequence moves from revisiting earlier learning to introducing something new, practising it and putting it to use. Nelson supplies the handwriting scheme from early years onwards. These are identifiable approaches that connect the youngest children’s learning with the school’s curriculum.

Numicon provides practical resources for early mathematical skills and solving problems. It gives number learning a hands-on element. Art also starts in the Foundation Stage, while language taster sessions introduce children to languages before formal teaching later in school. The classroom context includes interactive whiteboards throughout the school, alongside computers and iPads available to children to support learning.

In May 2022, Ofsted found that early years children memorised storybooks and enjoyed retelling them to friends. That is a concrete example of stories becoming something children can share themselves. The curriculum also specifies learning from early years onwards, giving teachers a starting point for planning what comes next.

Individual needs have a place in curriculum planning. The school’s curriculum statement sets out activities adapted for children, with resources allocated to personalise learning. Its stated approach includes matching the curriculum to age, interests, abilities and special needs. For a nursery family, this makes participation and the suitability of activities useful points to consider alongside the curriculum’s named programmes.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Netherton directs Reception applicants to Wakefield Council and follows the local authority’s admissions procedures.

Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions. The council is the application contact for Reception; enquiries about nursery provision go to the school. Familiarity with the school should not be treated as an admission entitlement.

The administration team is the initial contact for school enquiries, on 01924 274 873. An online contact form also accepts messages. The school invites families to arrange a visit, giving parents a direct way to consider whether the setting suits their child.

For calendar planning, the term dates page links to the approved 2026/27 school calendar. Use the school calendar when organising family commitments, alongside any arrangements agreed with the school.