Pomfret Woodland Nursery C.I.O

About Us

A childcare provider nestled in the heart of South Pontefract. Learn about Pomfret Woodland Community Nursery, our story, approach to childcare, and what makes us special.

Pomfret Woodland Community Nursery building

Our Journey to a Charitable Status

Hello there! We are Pomfret Woodland Community Nursery, a childcare provider nestled in the heart of South Pontefract. Since 2004, we've been providing little ones with a nurturing, open-plan environment where children can thrive.

Pomfret Woodland Community Nursery CIC was born in 2013, when a group of parents, together with the nursery manager at the time, came together to form a company and take over the running of a local authority nursery. With the support of the local authority and key people within the council, the parents were able to secure the future of the nursery and continue providing an important service for local children and families. Since taking over, we have successfully managed and operated the nursery as a Community Interest Company, remaining committed to supporting our local community and providing a nurturing environment for children.

In 2026, we reached another important milestone by obtaining charitable status and becoming Pomfret Woodland Community Nursery CIO. We believe this is the right direction for the future of the nursery, creating new opportunities to develop and extend the provision we offer, apply for charitable funding and grants, and reinvest in the nursery for the benefit of the children, families and wider community. Our charitable status also gives us the opportunity to expand our Board of Trustees and welcome people with skills, experience and a passion for supporting their local community. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a trustee or supporting the nursery in this way, please contact us.

Children playing and learning in our nursery

What Makes Us Special

At the heart of everything we do is our belief that children learn best when they're free to explore, discover and develop at their own pace. Our approach combines:

  • Open-plan, flexible spaces that encourage independence and social interaction
  • Outdoor learning as a core part of each day, not just an optional extra
  • Forest-school activities led by our qualified Forest School leader
  • Mixed-age interactions that help children develop empathy and communication skills
  • Partnership with families because we believe parents are children's first and most important teachers
  • Regular outsourced sessions - Superstar Sports, Mini Maestros

Our Wonderful Spaces

We've created three delightful, age-appropriate rooms where children can feel at home whilst being inspired to learn:

Bumble Bees Room - Ages 0-2 years
Ages 0-2 years

Bumble Bees Room

Designed for children up to their second birthday, our Bumble Bees room provides a warm, secure environment for our youngest children to explore the world around them. We offer up to 15 hours of funded childcare per week for eligible families (from September 2024), and our customized settling-in program helps your child adjust comfortably.

Ladybirds Room - Ages 2-3 years
Ages 2-3 years

Ladybirds Room

Our Ladybirds room caters to children aged 2-3 years, providing a nurturing environment with a 1:4 staff-to-child ratio where curious toddlers can explore and learn through play. We offer up to 15 hours of funded childcare per week for eligible families (from April 2024), and our tailored settling-in program helps children transition smoothly.

Butterflies Room - Ages 3+ to school age
Ages 3+ to school age

Butterflies Room

Our Butterflies room is for children aged 3 years up to the start of full-time school, preparing them through play-based learning in a fun, engaging environment. We offer full-time and part-time placements with term-time spaces and holiday club options. Children are encouraged to participate in their own learning journey, with parental contributions valued through "stories from home".

Our outdoor space is a real treasure – with climbing frames, slides, tyre-challenge areas and den-building materials, it's designed to support physical development and spark imaginative play. Our children enjoy fresh air and freedom every day through our free-flow outdoor play system.

We're particularly proud of our forest-school sessions in nearby woodland, where children build resilience, learn to manage risks safely, and develop a lifelong love of nature.

Explore our outdoor area
Community event at Pomfret Woodland Nursery

Our Community Heart

As a Community Interest Company, we're not driven by profit – every penny we generate goes straight back into improving our nursery, training our fantastic staff and keeping our fees affordable for Pontefract families.

Our board of trustees includes elected parents, early-years professionals and community representatives who ensure we remain accountable, transparent and connected to local needs.

We regularly host community events like summer fayres and fundraising mornings to strengthen bonds between families and support local charities.

Our dedicated team of childcare professionals

Our Dedicated Team

The secret to our success is our passionate team of qualified early-years teachers, Level 2& 3 practitioners and support staff. They're committed to supporting each child's unique journey and regularly undertake professional development – from safeguarding updates to specialised forest-school and special educational needs training – to ensure exceptional care for every child.

Meet Our Team
Co-curricular activities at Pomfret Woodland Nursery

Co-Curricular Activities

Co-curricular activities are additional experiences and opportunities that complement our everyday nursery curriculum. These activities are designed to enrich children's learning, encourage curiosity, build confidence and support their social, emotional and physical development. They provide children with opportunities to explore new interests, develop skills and enjoy exciting experiences beyond their usual daily activities.

  • Moo Music — A fun, multi-sensory music and movement session based around lovable farmyard friends. We sing, dance, sign, learn, explore and have lots of MOOsical fun. Using a range of props, instruments, lights, canopies, bubbles, puppets, sensory resources and much more to make our sessions original, exciting and stimulating.

Ready to Join Our Community?

We'd love to welcome you and your child to our nursery family. Book a visit today to see our wonderful spaces and meet our team.

Book a Visit View Our Fees