Dunsville Primary School Nursery

A mud kitchen, gravel pit and sandpit give Dunsville’s early years provision a practical, exploratory character. Play has a clear place alongside adult-led learning, with conversation threaded through both. This is the school’s own nursery provision, with Amber Class designated Foundation Stage 1, on Broadway in Dunsville, Doncaster.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 23 and 24 November 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes the learning approach. In parent terms, the emphasis here brings together talking, physical development, relationships and learning through play. Adults lead some activities, while children also have uninterrupted opportunities to pursue their own play. That gives the day room for both planned teaching and children’s interests.

Songs, stories and nursery rhymes supply opportunities to hear and use words. Conversation with adults and other children is part of the approach, rather than language being confined to a single activity. Books also support topic work, with texts selected to develop communication. Essential Letters and Sounds is the phonics programme used across early years.

Outdoors, children play in different weather conditions and explore materials in the sandpit, gravel pit and mud kitchen. Physical play supports the development of core muscles; sensory exploration gives children something concrete to investigate and discuss. Mathematical learning combines exploration with direct teaching, rather than relying on one method alone.

Topics can change in response to children’s interests and needs. Adults use observations to decide what to teach next, and adapt the learning environment as children develop. During November 2022, early years teaching emphasised vocabulary, while adults helped children establish routines and share resources. These are practical foundations for joining in with a group.

Learning to manage feelings and cooperate is part of adult-supported play. Children receive help with asking questions and working alongside others, connecting social development to what they are doing throughout the session.

Parents receive an outline of learning each half term, including ways to support it at home. Seesaw provides a way to share experiences from home and communicate about learning. This creates a useful connection between a child’s interests outside school and their activities in early years.

The school’s wider inclusion team includes a SEND coordinator, a teacher leading inclusion and intervention, and a teaching assistant supporting complex behaviour. Its work includes speech and language support, pastoral help and referrals to other agencies. These are school-wide roles, giving families a contact structure for discussing additional needs.

A separate application. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions route and meet the normal deadline. The school directs admission enquiries towards the local authority. Choosing Amber Class should therefore be a decision about the nursery experience, rather than an assumption that the next place is secured.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office at admin@dunsville.doncaster.sch.uk or telephone 01302 882958. The school is on Broadway, Doncaster, DN7 4HX.

Clothing should carry the child’s name. Clear labelling is a small practical step that helps keep belongings identifiable during a day involving physical and sensory play.