Brookfield Primary School Nursery Review

Learning to talk, play together and settle into school routines gives Brookfield’s nursery its clearest character. This is the nursery provision within Brookfield Primary School in Mickleover, Derby, with early learning forming part of the school’s education rather than a separate setting.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 28 and 29 November 2023. That judgement covers early years, rather than giving the nursery a separate rating. The strongest detail is about children’s experiences: activities matched their interests, purposeful work on communication and happy shared play.

Children’s interests help shape the learning. In November 2023, early years activities connected those interests with discovering the surrounding world. For a parent, that gives a useful picture of the approach: children have a reason to get involved, while the activity takes their understanding further. Their enthusiasm for participating was a clear feature of early years provision.

Learning alongside other children matters here. Adults support conversation and social development, and children learn through both playing and working together. These experiences give children opportunities to practise expressing themselves and taking part in a group. The emphasis extends beyond completing an activity to building the skills needed to participate in learning.

Early reading also has a place in the wider early years experience. In November 2023, a carefully organised phonics programme was taught effectively across early years and Key Stage 1. Checks on reading helped staff recognise children needing additional help and provide support. This finding spans both stages; it should be understood as evidence about the school’s early reading provision rather than a nursery-only programme.

Becoming comfortable with routines is an important part of the experience. In November 2023, early years children settled quickly into the expectations of school life. Familiar routines give a young child a framework for joining activities and spending time with other children.

Support for communication sits alongside that adjustment. Adults helped children develop their ability to communicate and relate to others, while shared activities gave them opportunities to use those skills. Children played and worked happily together. For families, this makes social participation a meaningful part of the early years experience, alongside learning about the world.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing the nursery and obtaining a Reception place are separate decisions.

Preparation for later learning is a different matter. In November 2023, the early years curriculum prepared children very well for the next stage. Developing communication, social skills and familiarity with routines contributes to that preparation; it does not establish an admissions advantage.

Brookfield Primary School is at The Hollow, Mickleover, Derby, DE3 0BW. The school telephone number is 01332516459, providing a direct contact route for families interested in its nursery provision.