Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy Nursery Review

Weekly Forest School and regular Cook School visits give the youngest children a share of school life beyond their own classrooms. Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy has two settings before Reception: Tiny Steps for children aged 2–3 and Nursery for those aged 3–4. Both offer full-time and part-time attendance, so families can choose a session pattern rather than a single fixed day.

Nursery attendance begins from the term after a child's third birthday. In the Ofsted inspection of 6 and 7 December 2023, early years provision was judged Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision together.

Play gets substantial time here. Children have extended stretches to follow their interests in classrooms indoors and outside, with adults joining activities to demonstrate ideas, ask questions and help learning develop. Tiny Steps teaching follows children's choices; Nursery adds brief adult-led phonics and maths activities. The balance gives children opportunities to make decisions as well as practise listening and taking part in a group.

The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, provides the framework. For Tiny Steps and Nursery, the main emphasis is on communication, physical development and managing feelings and relationships. Literacy, maths, understanding the world and expressive arts also feature. In parent terms, talking, moving and becoming more independent are central to the learning, alongside early reading and number experiences.

Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics brings together nursery rhymes, listening games, voice sounds and spoken sound-blending. Book areas give adults and children somewhere to read together. Tiny Steps also uses Dough Disco, Squiggle and counting within everyday routines, adding movement and mark-making to the mix.

Beyond the classroom, a Forest School session takes place each week, while Cook School visits recur through the year. In December 2023, early years children sustained attention during indoor activities and used resources independently. Outdoors, forest school gave them opportunities to consider risks and transfer learning into different situations. Adult conversations developed vocabulary and helped children take their ideas further.

Settling begins before the first regular session. Stay and Play gives children time with their future staff and other children in the setting. Within Tiny Steps, the key person supports comfort, emotional regulation and the move from parental care into the session. Toileting is another learning priority: children practise with help before working towards independence.

Parents can join Stay and Play and Open Doors events, alongside parents' evenings held twice a year. These provide opportunities to see the setting and discuss their child's development. At lunchtime, children can bring food from home or have a hot meal prepared at school.

For additional needs, early years staff can draw on the Early Years Advisory Team alongside the school's SEND team. Possible starting arrangements include a meeting before admission, visits with parents, extra visits and a gradual start. Social stories can also be used at home. These options allow the starting process to respond to an individual child's needs.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority, including families living outside York who want this school. For September 2027 entry, the on-time application deadline is 15 January 2027. Choosing nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.

Transition support has its own purpose. From FS1 onwards, children with Learning Plans or Education, Health and Care Plans have summer transition reviews. Where possible, they visit their next classroom or teacher; social stories support the change. This helps children prepare for new routines and relationships, separately from the allocation of places.

The full day runs from 8.30am to 3pm, with an afternoon option from noon to 3pm. Morning sessions start at 8.30am. Confirm the morning collection time and lunchtime arrangement with the school when booking. The school cannot guarantee that it can meet every session request.

All three-year-olds have a 15-hour universal funded entitlement, with 30 hours available subject to eligibility. Some Tiny Steps children qualify for 15 funded hours, also subject to criteria. Additional sessions and hot lunches are chargeable; contact the school for current charges.

A red sweatshirt is required, with unbranded clothing acceptable. Children also need wellies kept at school and a waterproof suit that fits over a thicker coat for outdoor learning. To enquire or arrange a visit, contact the admin team on 01904 806414 or admin.rws@ebor.academy.