Edlington Victoria Academy Nursery

Short mornings, early number work and a home visit before starting give this nursery its shape. Edlington Victoria Academy’s Foundation Stage 1 provision sits within the primary academy on Victoria Road in Edlington, Doncaster. Children can begin in the term after turning three, subject to an early starter place being available.

Attendance is part time, with a morning session rather than a full school day. That makes the nursery’s timetable a central consideration for families arranging care around work.

From 8:40am to 11:40am, the nursery combines planned activities with early learning in number, language and writing. Work follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with activities organised across the year and children’s progress assessed. In practical terms, this includes learning what written marks mean, recognising sounds and developing control of a pencil.

Maths has a defined place in the morning. Children have 15 minutes of teaching daily using Master the Curriculum, working both together as a class and in smaller groups. The nursery aims for children to understand numbers to five, recognise their numerals and explore different ways of making each number. The emphasis is on understanding quantities as well as recognising symbols.

Early writing starts with drawing, painting and making marks. Sound activities include body percussion, listening to instruments, rhythm and rhyme; later work introduces spoken blending and separating words into sounds. Children practise letters from their names as pencil control develops. These are small, concrete steps towards using writing to communicate, rather than beginning with extended written tasks.

Settling begins before the first nursery session. Staff arrange an appointment to visit the family at home, giving children a chance to meet them and parents an opportunity to discuss relevant information. An induction event and a fuller induction programme also form part of the preparation. Familiarity starts before attendance does.

Tapestry connects parents with their child’s learning journey. Families can also arrange a discussion with the teacher through the academy office, so concerns need not wait for a scheduled parents’ evening.

Food includes a free daily piece of fruit for nursery children through Doncaster’s Healthy Eating project. Children qualify for free milk, in a 1/3 pint portion each academy day, until their fifth birthday; registration is through Coolmilk.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), teachers work with the SEND coordinator on individual support. SEND Support Plans use an assess, plan, do and review cycle, with support reviewed each term alongside parents’ views. This gives families a recurring opportunity to discuss whether the approach needs to change.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, administered by City of Doncaster Council, and meet the applicable deadline.

Transition support is a separate matter from allocation of a place. The academy’s arrangements cover moves between classes, with additional preparation adapted to children who need special educational provision. That support concerns the child’s move, rather than an admissions advantage.

The nursery morning runs from 8:40am until 11:40am. F1D uses the Main Door for entry, making that the relevant entrance for the morning session.

Uniform includes a red sweatshirt, jumper or cardigan, grey or black bottoms, a white shirt or blouse and flat black shoes. Clothing should carry the child’s name to help prevent mix-ups.

For nursery enquiries, contact the academy office on 01709 862175 or email Admin@edvictoria.elp.org.uk. Nursery applications, like primary applications, are administered by City of Doncaster Council.