Beaufort Primary School Nursery Review

Painted Rangoli patterns, early sound games and a garden used for both entry and collection give Beaufort’s nursery its own practical character. Nursery children belong to a shared early years unit with Reception, with indoor and outdoor learning available each day. The school aims to admit children soon after their third birthday, subject to space; its 30-hour places are currently limited to 16 children.

Ofsted judged early years provision Requires improvement following the inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023. That judgement covers the early years unit rather than a separately inspected nursery. Families should weigh the daily provision alongside the curriculum and staffing concerns identified at that time.

Play and focused teaching share the day. Children choose resources and pursue their interests, while adults introduce learning, develop conversations and help them take ideas further. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, move and manage relationships with early literacy, maths, creativity and discovering the world. In parent terms, talking and playing are part of the curriculum, alongside adult-led work.

Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS) introduces Nursery children to listening and awareness of sounds. White Rose Maths supports mathematical learning, while KAPOW contributes to creative work, understanding the world and personal and social development. These named approaches give structure to the activities; they do not establish a claim about teaching quality.

The early years Celebrations topic makes the approach concrete. Children explore religious and non-religious occasions, discuss feelings, listen to music from different cultures and use paint for Diwali Rangoli patterns and Christmas cards. Language and creative expression come together in the same activity.

In November 2023, the shared unit had ample room and equipment, and children handled familiar routines calmly. However, its curriculum was newly introduced, leadership and staffing were temporary, and the connection between learning indoors and outdoors needed further work. Some children were not gaining sufficiently secure knowledge for later learning. Consistent teaching across both spaces was a central improvement requirement.

Class Dojo shares children’s learning with families, and reading diaries connect home and nursery. Parents can join special events and regular stay and play sessions; children also take books home. These arrangements give families ways to participate in learning beyond the session itself.

For children staying through lunch, the choice is a packed lunch or a school meal. The lunchtime part of the 30-hour session runs from 11.30am to 12.30pm, making food a practical consideration when choosing the longer pattern.

For emerging developmental concerns, Beaufort aims to listen to parents, monitor progress and include children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in activities with their peers. Support follows Assess, Plan, Do, Review, with parents informed when special provision is introduced. This creates a process for agreeing support and checking it again. In November 2023, children in the early years unit were safe and receiving appropriate care, although the temporary staffing arrangements remained a concern.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Derby City Council’s School Admissions Department by the normal deadline. For entry in 2027/28, nursery attendance confers no admission priority: allocation uses the school’s other admission criteria.

Sharing an early years unit gives the nursery a physical connection with the next stage, but admissions remain separate. For children with SEND who find changes difficult, transition support can include visual booklets, additional visits and activities, and handovers between staff. Those measures address the child’s preparation, not entitlement to a place.

The 15-hour entitlement can be taken as weekday mornings, 8.45am to 11.45am, or afternoons, 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Alternatives combine Monday and Tuesday all day with Wednesday morning, or Thursday and Friday all day with Wednesday afternoon. Eligible children can take the 30-hour pattern from Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 3.15pm. The 15-hour entitlement starts in the term after the third birthday, subject to places.

Nursery waiting-list forms and appointments to look around are handled by the school office. Contact 01332 347275 or admin@beaufort.odysseyct.org.uk. Entry and collection use the nursery garden entrance.

Kids Club extends care from 7.30am to 8.45am and from 3.15pm to 5.00pm, with breakfast or a light snack respectively. Places must be booked a week ahead and paid for before attendance. Ask the school for current charges.