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Nursery at Hill Top Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Two three-hour sessions give Hill Top Academy's nursery a clear daily shape: a morning beginning at 8:45am and an afternoon starting at 12:30pm. This is nursery provision within a primary academy in Edlington, Doncaster, with 52 nursery places. The school admits children from age three.
The early years provision was graded Outstanding at Ofsted's inspection on 31 January and 1 February 2024. That judgement covers the school's early years foundation stage, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Its most useful detail for parents concerns children's independence, concentration and relationships.
Learning to think for themselves is a clear strength of the early years experience. In January and February 2024, adults used questioning to stretch children's ideas, while children sustained their attention and formed strong friendships. Activities were adjusted to individual needs. For a parent, that means the learning described was responsive to the child, with adults doing more than simply supervising an activity.
Early reading also ran through the day. Children repeatedly practised sounds and recognised them within words, giving them opportunities to use these skills beyond a single teaching slot. These are concrete parts of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) experience: developing independence, thinking and early reading together.
Across the academy, the school aims to organise learning through enquiry questions and a Text-rich approach, using poetry, stories and non-fiction. It also puts deliberate vocabulary teaching alongside speaking, listening and number skills. This gives the wider curriculum a clear emphasis on language and making connections.
Classrooms throughout the academy have adjoining space for focused group learning. The wider building also contains a library and a food technology space, while the grounds support environmental activities. These describe the school setting around the nursery, rather than a promise that every facility forms part of each nursery session.
Relationships gave the early years provision a reassuring foundation in January and February 2024. For parents concerned about settling, children adjusted quickly; inspectors also found positive links with families and adults who knew each child well. Teachers in the EYFS work alongside teaching assistants, providing a team structure around the youngest learners.
Individual needs also shaped activities in the early years. Alongside this, the academy directs families towards Doncaster SENDIAS for advice about special educational needs and disabilities, and the Doncaster SEND Local Offer for education, health and care support. These give families routes to help beyond the classroom.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route, managed by Doncaster Council.
For the 2026/27 Reception intake, the closing date was 15 January 2026. That deadline has passed. Keep the nursery decision and the later school application separate when planning your child's next step.
Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoon sessions run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Each occupies three hours, so the collection time matters when fitting nursery around work or other childcare.
For nursery enquiries, contact the academy on 01709 863273 or email admin@hilltop.doncaster.sch.uk. The school office opens at 8:00am and closes at 4:00pm. Across the academy, ParentPay handles payments, including school meals and educational visits, keeping those transactions cashless.
The morning session is 8:45am to 11:45am, and the afternoon session is 12:30pm to 3:30pm.
Hill Top Academy has 52 nursery places within the school.
The early years provision was graded Outstanding on 31 January and 1 February 2024. Children settled quickly, developed independence and practised phonics throughout the day. These findings cover the school's early years provision.
No. Families need a separate Reception application through Doncaster Council. For the 2026/27 intake, the deadline was 15 January 2026, which has passed.
Contact the academy office on 01709 863273 or email admin@hilltop.doncaster.sch.uk for nursery enquiries.
