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Nursery at Clifton Green 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.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, exploration and a strong emphasis on language shape nursery learning at Clifton Green. Children belong to the school's Early Years Unit, with both 15-hour and 30-hour places offered. This is a nursery within a primary school, so its provision should be considered separately from the arrangements for starting full-time school.
There are 78 nursery places, divided between 39 morning places and 39 afternoon places. Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 17 and 18 May 2022. That judgement covers the school's early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Exploring and playing are the main ways children learn here. Activities take place outdoors as well as indoors, and staff build learning around children's interests. Half-term learning enhancements add further starting points for exploration. The emphasis is on active involvement: children investigate, think creatively and develop their understanding through what they do.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven learning areas. Its starting points are movement and physical skills, emotional and social development, and communication. Alongside these, children develop early literacy and mathematical understanding, explore the world and express ideas through art and design. For parents, this means the nursery curriculum extends beyond preparation for reading and writing to how children communicate, move and relate to others.
Language and vocabulary receive a strong emphasis. Development Matters guides assessment and the planning of each child's next learning steps, giving staff a way to connect activities with individual development. In May 2022, children in early years were developing independence and learning knowledge in a planned order. Those findings give substance to the play-based approach: exploration has a learning purpose.
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) take part in the same curriculum as their peers, including in early years, as established in May 2022. Current support uses an Assess–Plan–Do–Review cycle. Staff plan help, put it into practice and review how it is working, with parents involved in the process.
Where children arrive with identified needs, the school works with people who already understand those needs to support the move into school. Specialist help can involve Speech and Language Therapists or Educational Psychologists. This gives families a route to support that extends beyond the classroom team.
School meals are prepared on site using ingredients that are fresh and locally produced. Dietary needs and allergies are catered for. Separately, the school's pastoral lead supports children and parents dealing with difficulties in family life, so families have someone to approach about concerns beyond learning.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through City of York Council's normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. The online route is www.york.gov.uk/schooladmissions; a paper application can be requested from the council.
Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions. Membership of the Early Years Unit is an educational arrangement, not a promise of admission to the school's Reception.
The 15-hour and 30-hour options give families two attendance choices. To express interest in a nursery place, complete the nursery enquiry form and the team will respond.
Visits can be arranged through the main office on 01904 936948 or by emailing cliftongreenprimary@york.gov.uk. This provides an opportunity to look around and meet a member of the team before deciding whether to apply.
Both 15-hour and 30-hour places are offered within the Early Years Unit.
The nursery has 78 places: 39 in the morning and 39 in the afternoon.
Children learn mainly through play and exploration, indoors and outdoors. Staff plan around children's interests, with an emphasis on language and vocabulary.
No. A separate Reception application is required through City of York Council's admissions process.
Complete the nursery enquiry form to express interest. For a visit, contact the main office on 01904 936948 or email cliftongreenprimary@york.gov.uk.
