Findern Primary School Nursery Review

Weekly woodland sessions give Acorns Nursery its outdoor character. For children aged three and four, this is Findern Primary School’s nursery provision, with its own indoor and outdoor learning areas and an emphasis on getting ready for school. Woodland learning starts here, before the Forest School experiences that follow in full-time schooling.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 13 and 14 March 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play carries the learning. Acorns follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with nursery curriculum planning aligned with the school’s Reception teaching. At the March 2024 inspection, children in the school’s early years provision painted, tried free writing and used apparatus outdoors. Inspectors linked these activities to curiosity, resilience and sociability.

The indoor and outdoor areas make both kinds of activity part of the learning environment. Woodland sessions take place weekly and prepare children for later Forest School learning. For families who value outdoor experiences, this is a specific part of the nursery offer rather than just a school-wide aspiration.

In March 2024, early years learning included carefully planned play, purposeful adult interaction and established routines. Personal, emotional and social development received close attention. Children developed curiosity and resilience alongside sociability, so preparation for school extended beyond early writing to managing shared activities and relationships.

An experienced early years lead teacher guides the nursery provision. The March 2024 early years findings describe adults working purposefully with children, alongside routines that children understood. Learning to share, wait for a turn and listen to adults formed part of that support. These are useful foundations for taking part in a group, as well as learning independently.

Tapestry connects families with their child’s learning. Parents receive an app login when their child starts and can view photographs and records of achievements. They can also contribute comments and their own pictures. This gives families a way to add experiences from home to the nursery’s account of their child’s development. The Acorns class page also carries general nursery photographs.

Attending Acorns does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the School Admissions Team at Derbyshire County Council when their child reaches school age. Treat this as a distinct application, even if your child already attends the nursery.

Educational preparation is a separate matter. The nursery’s early years curriculum work is aligned with Reception teaching, while woodland sessions prepare children for later Forest School activities. That continuity concerns learning; it does not replace the Reception admissions process.

Prospective parents can book a visit through the school office by calling 01283 702150 or emailing info@findern.derbyshire.sch.uk. A visit offers an opportunity to see the nursery’s indoor and outdoor spaces before choosing it.

For childcare funding information, the nursery directs families to Childcare Choices. It also identifies the tax-free childcare scheme as a way to pay for nursery sessions. General enquiries can go through the school’s contact form or the same office email address.