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Nursery at Hob Moor Oaks 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Long stretches of child-led play and a keyworker relationship give Hob Moor Oaks Academy’s early years provision its character. This is nursery education within a specialist school: every child attending the academy has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), reviewed annually. Individual development shapes the learning.
Early years belongs to the Orchard Phase, within a school that shares its building with Hob Moor Primary Academy in Acomb, York. The nursery’s place within that specialist setting matters for families whose children need education and personal care planned together.
Play has time to develop here. Children have extended periods to follow their interests, with adults guiding and encouraging their learning. That gives a child room to explore an idea rather than move quickly between adult-directed tasks. Boromi, a play library partner, also connects with the Stay and Play sessions.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for learning. In everyday terms, children develop movement, relationships, communication and early mathematical understanding alongside creativity and exploration of their world. The Tapestry Cherry Garden Curriculum guides personalisation, with Birth to 5 Matters and Development Matters also informing the approach. Experiences are matched to children’s interests, strengths and needs.
Three learning pathways make that adaptation concrete. On Pathway 1, physical and sensory exploration sits alongside building relationships with familiar adults and developing ways to communicate. Pathway 2 introduces more intentional communication and practical problem-solving. Pathway 3 develops everyday skills, independence and communication with different people. The emphasis changes with a child’s development, giving families a clearer picture of what learning can mean for their child.
Branch map assessments establish children’s starting points. These support planning around developmental stages rather than assuming that children of the same age need identical activities.
Each child has a keyworker. This relationship supports adults in understanding individual needs and adjusting learning pace. Familiar relationships are also an explicit part of the earliest curriculum pathway, alongside helping children feel secure in school.
Tapestry connects home and classroom through observations, a Care Diary for daily personal-care updates, and a Memo for weekly messages to families. Termly Stay & Play sessions let parents join classroom play and see learning in context; parent consultations and school reports provide further opportunities to discuss development.
Medical support belongs to the wider school team. Two Health Care Assistants work alongside teaching staff and the NHS Special School Nursing Team. Medication and enteral-feed arrangements give families with these care requirements practical points of contact within the school.
In October 2022, early years leadership and welfare support were assessed positively, and curriculum planning addressed younger children’s SEND. The same inspection identified school-wide concerns about distracting activities and missed chances to reinforce learning. Those concerns were broader than nursery provision, but remain relevant when considering how activities support a child’s next steps.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat nursery and Reception admission as separate decisions. At this specialist school, the local authority controls admissions, and children attending have an EHCP; families should use that placement route rather than assume attendance secures the next stage.
York City Council is the admissions contact, on 01904 551550. The curriculum’s work on communication, independence and relationships prepares children for further learning, but educational preparation should not be confused with an admissions entitlement.
The wider school day runs from 8:50am to 3.20pm. These are school hours, rather than a nursery session booking offer.
For enquiries about the provision or a school visit, contact the main office at admin.hmo@ebor.academy or 01904 806655. School visits provide an opportunity to discuss the provision directly with the team.
Children have extended periods of child-led play. The EYFS framework and Tapestry Cherry Garden Curriculum guide experiences personalised to their interests, strengths and needs.
Yes. Each child has a keyworker.
Tapestry provides learning observations, daily Care Diary updates and weekly Memo messages. Families can also attend termly Stay & Play sessions and parent consultations.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. The local authority controls admission to this specialist school, where all children attending have an EHCP.
Contact the main office at admin.hmo@ebor.academy or 01904 806655 for provision enquiries and school visits. York City Council handles admissions enquiries on 01904 551550.
