Marshland Primary Academy Nursery

Marvellous Me, 999 Emergency! and Adventure Awaits give Marshland’s nursery year its character: three termly themes within the school’s early years provision in Moorends. The nursery is known as Foundation Stage 1, or FS1. It forms part of Marshland Primary Academy on Marshland Road.

At the September 2023 Ofsted inspection, early years provision was graded Good within the school inspection. That judgement covers the early years phase rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for nursery learning. Autumn’s Marvellous Me is followed by 999 Emergency! in spring and Adventure Awaits in summer. These give families a concrete starting point for conversations about the term’s learning.

Language runs through the learning. In September 2023, adults encouraged children’s language development across early years activities, making communication a focus across the curriculum rather than confining it to one subject.

Marshland Moments adds experiences beyond classroom learning. The programme includes nursery children, with an experience planned each half term. Children keep a certificate alongside a photograph or another memento in a special book. For parents, that creates a tangible record of these experiences to share with their child.

Settling begins with contact in familiar surroundings. The FS1 teacher makes visits to children at home and/or at their private nursery. Where extra transition support is needed, children and their parents may be invited to play sessions in the foundation unit. This gives the family a way to become familiar with the setting together.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), the SENCO and class teacher can liaise with the previous nursery and other professionals before entry. Environmental adjustments are arranged before the child starts. Across the academy, designated spaces support individual or small-group work.

Parents of children with SEND have termly discussions about progress towards their support-plan outcomes, with SENCO involvement wherever possible. Informal conversations and telephone contact also support communication. These arrangements give families recurring opportunities to discuss how support is working.

Breakfast is available to FS1 children through the Greggs Foundation-funded club. Porridge on Tuesdays and crumpets on Wednesdays are among the menu choices, providing food before nursery learning begins.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer admission priority under the arrangements for 2027–2028. Families must make a separate Reception application through Doncaster Council’s normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Doncaster Council coordinates applications and offers; admissions@doncaster.gov.uk is the contact for application information.

Transition support is a separate matter. Children needing additional help between year groups may receive a personalised package, such as a transition booklet, individual support or meetings with parents. Familiarity and preparation do not alter the admission rules.

Foundation Stage 1 has two attendance patterns: mornings from 8:40am to noon, or full days on Monday and Tuesday plus Wednesday morning. The concentrated pattern may suit a different family routine from morning attendance.

Breakfast Club runs from 8:00am to 8:45am, is free for FS1 children and requires no booking. Access is through the side entrance beside the academy car park. Its end time differs from the nursery’s 8:40am start, so keep the nursery session time in mind when planning the morning.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01405 812693 or ml-admin@vennacademy.org. Families can also arrange an academy visit by appointment.