Crookesbroom Primary Academy Nursery Review

A morning nursery with a gradual introduction to school life gives Crookesbroom’s youngest children a distinct starting point. Before nursery begins, a playgroup helps children get to know the staff and surroundings. Familiarity comes first.

The nursery sits within Crookesbroom Primary Academy in Hatfield, Doncaster, part of Delta Academies Trust. It has 30 morning places. Children usually start in September after turning three; a start after Christmas is possible if places remain. Early years provision received a Good judgement at the Ofsted inspection on 26 and 27 April 2022. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Books and independence give the early years learning its direction. In April 2022, children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) were developing independence and constructive habits for learning. Enjoyment of books supported learning across the curriculum. For parents, the emphasis is on learning how to learn as well as engaging with stories.

The morning pattern makes this a session-based introduction to school. Children who need a more gradual beginning may initially attend shorter sessions as part of personalised transition arrangements.

Settling begins before the first nursery session. Pre-school children are invited to an afternoon playgroup once a week during the preceding term, giving them time to become familiar with nursery staff. Home visits take place before children start, and entry is staggered. These arrangements give staff and families opportunities to prepare together, rather than concentrating the introduction into one day.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), support follows an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle: identify the need, agree help, put it into practice and revisit its impact. Parents help agree the initial plan, which is usually reviewed after half a term. At Stage 2, there are at least three meetings each year. This gives families repeated opportunities to discuss progress and adjust support.

Class teachers work with the SEND coordinator, with specialist advice available from speech therapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists. Early years children with an Education, Health and Care Plan have reviews every six months. Communication about SEND can include conversations, telephone calls or a home/academy diary, keeping parents involved between meetings.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Doncaster Council’s online primary admissions route and meet the deadline for the relevant admissions round.

For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, nursery attendance gave no priority under the oversubscription criteria. Those criteria covered looked-after or previously looked-after children, catchment residence, siblings and distance; the sibling criterion excluded nursery attendance. Families should therefore treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Support with the change of class is a different matter. For children with SEND, annual handovers pass information from the existing teacher to the next teacher and support staff. Parents are invited to discuss helpful approaches with the new teacher, allowing knowledge of the child’s needs to travel with them.

Morning attendance is the nursery’s session pattern, so families need to plan care around that part of the day. Nursery applications use Doncaster Council’s online nursery admissions route.

For enquiries, contact the academy on 01302 841337 or email info@cpacademy.org.uk. Families considering Crookesbroom are welcome to arrange a look around, providing an opportunity to see the setting before making their choice.