Misterton Primary and Nursery School Nursery Review

Mark-making, stories about feelings and learning to make choices give Misterton’s early years provision its character. This is the nursery within Misterton Primary and Nursery School on Grovewood Road, with entry usually in the term after a child’s third birthday. The emphasis reaches beyond early learning into how children understand themselves and play alongside others.

At the Ofsted inspection on 15 and 16 November 2022, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The nursery morning begins with registration and activities between 8.45am and 9.00am, followed by a learning period running until 11.45am. That gives families a clear morning timetable around which to organise the rest of their child’s day.

Learning combines creative activity with personal development. In November 2022, early years children made marks using different media in art and design, while their reading included stories exploring feelings. These are concrete ways to practise expression: through the marks children make and the emotions they learn to recognise. The curriculum was still new at that point, and its success in helping children retain learning had yet to be fully evaluated.

Play also involves choices and consideration for others. Early years children manage how many children use each learning area, develop language for making good choices, and explore how people are alike and different. The school aims to build independence and confidence from the start of nursery. These activities put that aim into everyday practice.

The wider school grounds include a field, an artificial turf area and a hard playground, alongside an indoor hall and swimming pool.

Early years leadership sits within the senior team: the deputy headteacher also leads EYFS and mathematics. This connects responsibility for the youngest children with school leadership.

Communication with families includes texts, newsletters and positive updates through Marvellous Me. These give parents several ways to keep up with school life and hear about their child. For additional needs, families have a direct SENDCo contact at sendco@misterton.notts.sch.uk, providing a route to discuss support with the school’s special educational needs coordinator.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, keeping that application distinct from arranging nursery attendance. A nursery place should therefore be chosen for the experience it offers now, rather than treated as securing the next stage.

To enquire about nursery, telephone 01427 890284 to register interest and arrange a school visit. The school is on Grovewood Road, Misterton, Doncaster, DN10 4EH; general enquiries can also go to officeadmin@misterton.notts.sch.uk.

The school’s clothing colours are straightforward: grey or black bottoms, white or red shirts, and red knitwear or sweatshirts. Clothing should carry the child’s name, which helps keep belongings identifiable. Black trainers are permitted, and families can contact the school about uniform it can provide. These practical arrangements may help reduce the amount families need to buy.