Osbaldwick Primary Academy Nursery Review

Morning or afternoon sessions give Osbaldwick’s nursery a clear shape, with full-day attendance also possible. Children join from age three, and the nursery occupies the Osbaldwick Leyes Site in York. It is the academy’s own provision. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 8 and 9 July 2025; that judgement covers early years rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Registration is at 8:55, followed by the morning session until 12:00. Afternoon children attend from 12:25 to 15:25. These are distinct session choices, giving families a shorter attendance pattern as well as the possibility of a full day.

Within early years, language, writing and number learning have practical purposes. In July 2025, children used their developing skills to make pizza menus and play shops. Those activities give writing and numbers a job to do within play, rather than leaving them as isolated exercises.

Indoor and outdoor learning spaces both support literacy and number work. Adults explain unfamiliar words, talk them through and demonstrate their meaning through actions, helping children expand their vocabulary. The early years curriculum builds knowledge effectively, and children were enthusiastic about taking part in July 2025. For parents, the useful detail is the connection between adult conversation and children putting learning into practice.

For children staying all day, lunch can be bought. This makes food part of planning a longer nursery day; contact the school for current charges.

The school’s SENCO is a qualified teacher with the National Award in Special Educational Needs Co-ordination, and works alongside a pastoral and wellbeing team. Support can involve the Early Years Specialist teaching team and Speech and Language Therapists. Where needed, classroom adjustments include movement breaks, visual supports and headphones that reduce noise. The school also has ramps and a hygiene suite, practical features relevant to children with physical care or access needs.

SEND support. In July 2025, a school-wide concern was that some adults lacked clear enough guidance to provide prompt, precisely targeted help for pupils with SEND. Families considering nursery should weigh that concern separately from the positive early years findings. Safeguarding arrangements were effective at that inspection, which included checks within early years.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. For the 2026–27 admissions cycle, attendance conferred no priority and families had to submit a separate application. Reception applications go through the family’s home local authority; York residents use City of York Council. Apply again through that route by the deadline for the relevant entry year.

Transition events include invitations for children and their parents or carers. These provide a chance to prepare together for starting school. They are separate from the allocation of a Reception place.

Morning sessions run Monday to Friday, from 8:55 to 12:00; afternoons run from 12:25 to 15:25. Session requests. The school cannot promise to meet every requested pattern, so a preferred arrangement should not be treated as confirmed until agreed.

The 15-hour weekly funded provision begins in the term after a child’s third birthday, with starts in September, January and April. The school accepts a government 30-hour code for up to 15 additional funded hours. Some paid places allow three-year-olds to begin before the term following their birthday, with payment made in advance each half term.

Collect a nursery application form from the School Office or call 01904 806429. Tours can be arranged through the office, allowing families to see the setting before applying. For drop-off and collection, parents are asked to consider carefully where they park.