Long Toft Primary School Nursery Review

At Long Toft’s December 2022 inspection, melting ice became a language lesson: adults helped young children put scientific words to the changes they observed. That small example captured the early-years emphasis on conversation and learning through activity. Singing, music and stories gave children further opportunities to explore language, with adults taking an active part in their learning.

The nursery forms part of Long Toft Primary School on Church Road in Stainforth, Doncaster. The school’s age range begins at three. Ofsted judged its early-years provision Good at the inspection on 14 and 15 December 2022; that judgement covers the school’s early years rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Language gives the clearest picture of learning here. In December 2022, adults introduced vocabulary through practical experiences, including discussing ice as it melted. Children could connect a new word with something happening in front of them. This makes conversation part of learning, rather than simply an accompaniment to an activity.

Stories, singing and music also supported children’s understanding of rhythm and rhyme. These are accessible ways to explore the sounds of language: children can hear patterns as well as encounter new words. Adult interaction was a particular strength of the early-years provision in December 2022, giving these activities their educational value through the exchanges between staff and children.

Kindness extends into the early years. In December 2022, children were encouraged to treat their peers kindly across differences in culture, belief and behaviour. For a young child learning to play alongside others, that gives social learning a concrete focus: how to treat another person.

The December 2022 inspection also identified inconsistent additional phonics support for some children falling behind, alongside a school-wide concern that some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities received support and targets that did not closely match their needs. The latter was a broader school finding, rather than a nursery-specific judgement. These concerns make the fit between an individual child’s needs and their actual support an important consideration for families.

Beyond the classroom, the school invites families to discuss support when difficulties arise. Its family support links include Early Help and Your Place, with the latter covering matters such as childcare, housing and benefits. These give parents practical routes to help with pressures affecting family life.

Attending Long Toft’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the child’s nursery experience, with the Reception application treated as a separate step.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 01302 841246 or email admin@longtoftschool.co.uk. The school is on Church Road, Stainforth, Doncaster, DN7 5AB. These contact details provide a direct starting point for families considering the provision.