Christ the King Catholic Voluntary Academy Nursery Review

Early language and learning to get along give this nursery its clearest character. Christ the King Catholic Voluntary Academy has nursery provision within its Catholic primary school in Alfreton. For families choosing a first school setting, the November 2022 inspection identified vocabulary development from the early years, alongside phonics, mathematics and social development.

At the Ofsted inspection on 15 and 16 November 2022, early years provision was judged Good within the school inspection. That judgement covers the early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Words matter from the beginning. In November 2022, staff developed vocabulary starting in the early years, giving children the language to explain their learning. The practical value is more than knowing new words: being able to describe an idea helps a child take part in learning and make their understanding clear.

Phonics also began in the early years, with children making a positive start. This introduces the sounds used in reading. Mathematics had a carefully organised sequence, and teaching returned to earlier learning to strengthen memory and tackle gaps in understanding. For a young child, that means learning is revisited rather than simply moving straight to the next idea.

Checking understanding was another feature of the early years in November 2022. Teachers assessed what children had retained and adjusted teaching in response. These checks matter because the next learning can respond to what a child understands already. Taken together, vocabulary development, early phonics and revisiting mathematics give parents concrete features to weigh when choosing the nursery.

Relationships are part of the learning picture. In November 2022, children in the early years got along with other pupils and enjoyed playing together. This matters for children beginning group learning: the social experience includes spending time with others as well as developing early reading and mathematical understanding.

Personal development was a positive feature across the school, explicitly including its early years. In the same November 2022 inspection, some pupils across the school struggled to recall what they had learned about different cultures and religions. Leaders were asked to strengthen pupils' knowledge of faiths and cultures. Support for social and emotional development also extended to these younger children. Families and pupils experiencing emotional difficulties or other challenges received help, with external specialists contributing to that support. For parents, this places emotional needs alongside learning needs in the early years picture.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Christ the King. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline.

The relevant local authority coordinates admissions on behalf of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, which is the admissions authority. Keep that application separate from the decision to take a nursery place.

The school address is Firs Avenue, Alfreton, DE55 7EN. For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 01773832919. This gives families a direct contact for beginning their enquiry about joining the provision.