Bentley New Village Primary School Nursery Review

Child-chosen learning and adult-led activities share the day in Ducklings, Bentley New Village Primary School’s nursery. The provision sits within the Foundation unit at the school on Asquith Road in Bentley, Doncaster, where children can join from age three. Morning and afternoon groups give the nursery its own timetable within the wider school.

The important qualification is educational quality. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Requires improvement following its inspection on 8 and 9 October 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Ducklings combines activities children choose themselves with focused teaching directed by adults. Staff observe children and plan around their interests, abilities and needs. This gives children opportunities to pursue their own ideas as well as take part in learning an adult has selected.

EYFS means Early Years Foundation Stage, the nursery’s early learning phase. Everyday routines form part of that learning: singing accompanies transitions in early years, while children learn about healthy eating and drinking enough water. These are practical habits alongside classroom learning. In October 2024, children in early years showed enthusiasm for learning, and adults helped them understand classroom expectations and move calmly around the school.

Curriculum clarity. In October 2024, the intended learning and vocabulary were insufficiently precise in parts of early years. Staff also lacked a shared understanding of curriculum goals. Some children consequently received weaker preparation for later learning. Families should weigh the mix of independent and adult-led activity alongside this substantive concern about what those activities teach.

The early years team includes an EYFS lead teacher, a teacher, a higher level teaching assistant and teaching assistants. This places teaching and classroom support roles within the same phase, though it does not establish a nursery staffing ratio.

For additional needs, the school’s SEND coordinator works with its inclusion lead. Parents can arrange contact through the office by telephone, email or an appointment. In October 2024, gaps in children’s learning were not understood clearly enough in parts of early years, an important consideration when discussing a child’s support needs.

Healthy food and hydration feature in early years learning. The school also operates the Thrive Approach: assessments can lead to support individually or in a small group for emotional development. This is a school-wide support arrangement, rather than a promise of a particular intervention for each nursery child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Doncaster Council’s school admissions service provides an online application route for primary places, alongside its nursery admissions route. Treat the next application as a separate decision from joining Ducklings.

Both Ducklings groups use the rear gate beside the cafe. Morning registration is at 8:45am; afternoon registration is at 12:15pm. Morning collection gates open at 11:40am and close at 11:50am, while afternoon collection gates open at 3:15pm and close at 3:30pm. These are gate and registration arrangements, useful for planning journeys and handovers.

To enquire or arrange a school visit, telephone 01302 874385 or email admin@newvillage.doncaster.sch.uk. The school’s uniform policy permits generic items and optional branding. Its Uniform Bank, in the main entrance, gives families experiencing financial difficulties access to donated clothing.