Denaby Main Primary Academy Nursery

Children’s interests help steer the learning here. Denaby Main Primary Academy’s nursery combines In The Moment Planning with sessions led by adults, giving children room to pursue their own ideas alongside teaching of specific skills. It is the school’s Foundation Stage 1 provision on School Walk in Denaby Main, Doncaster. Children can start in the term following their third birthday, subject to places being available.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 11 and 12 July 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Choice and adult direction sit alongside each other. With In The Moment Planning, staff respond to children’s interests and individual needs; adult-led activities introduce skills that need explicit teaching. For parents, the distinction matters: children have opportunities to direct their learning, while adults also decide when a focused session is needed.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives this approach its structure. Language and communication, emotional and social development, and physical skills are the initial priorities. Learning also embraces mathematics, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. These areas shape the activities children can choose, so nursery learning reaches beyond early reading and number work.

At the July 2023 inspection, early years mathematics included counting songs. In July 2023, children interacted successfully with adults and their peers, and showed concentration during phonics with familiar learning routines. Read Write Inc begins in nursery’s spring term, introducing the relationship between spoken sounds and written letters. This gives early reading a named teaching approach alongside the child-led learning.

Learning to share and handle feelings is part of the early years experience. In July 2023, children were developing both skills, making social learning part of their preparation for learning together.

Families can contribute photographs and examples of learning at home to each child’s learning journey. Talking, reading together, nursery rhymes and cooking are among the home activities the school encourages. This gives parents a practical role in connecting home experiences with classroom learning.

For special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), parents can arrange a meeting with the school’s SEND coordinator through the office or parent app. The school aims to shape learning opportunities around individual needs. Safeguarding concerns can be raised with the designated safeguarding lead or sent to admin@astreadenabymain.org, giving families a direct route to flag a worry.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Denaby Main. Families must make a separate application for Foundation Stage 2 through Doncaster Council at www.doncaster.gov.uk/admissions. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions: a familiar school setting does not remove the need to apply again through the normal admissions process.

The standard nursery pattern is 15 hours a week, with mornings running from 08:45 to 11:45. Eligible children can take the 30-hour offer, running from 08:45 to 15:15. The longer pattern includes a half-hour lunchtime period provided free by the school. These are distinct choices for families planning care around the nursery day.

For enquiries, telephone 01709 863622 during school hours or email admin@astreadenabymain.org. Visits can be arranged through the office with a senior leadership team member, including a tour and time for questions. That offers families a practical way to explore the provision before deciding whether to apply.