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Nursery at Richmond Hill Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Home visits, a diary of family adventures and time to play indoors and outside give Richmond Hill’s nursery a clear emphasis on connecting home life with learning. This is the nursery within Richmond Hill Primary Academy on Melton Road in Sprotbrough, Doncaster, forming part of its Early Years provision.
The team includes a Nursery Lead, an EYFS Lead, a higher level teaching assistant and teaching assistants. The nursery says it combines a gentle routine with flexibility for each child’s pace. For families, that means an approach intended to recognise individual needs alongside the structure of a school day.
The F1 nursery day begins with registration at 8:35. Language and communication activities, phonics and a snack sit alongside indoor and outdoor play during the morning. Lunch is at 11:45; the afternoon brings a maths meeting, more opportunities to play and explore, and a story before home time at 3:00. Conversation, number work and stories give the day recurring points of focus.
Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children have opportunities to choose activities and direct their learning. Adults plan play experiences, support spontaneous play and help children develop language while investigating ideas. The nursery sees play as a way to practise cooperation, explore feelings and try out solutions to problems. Indoor and outdoor learning both feature in the routine, giving children different settings for that exploration.
Family experiences also influence activities. A journal or diary provided at the beginning of the year lets parents record things their child has done away from school. Staff use these interests to start conversations and inform both play opportunities and activities guided by adults. Familiar experiences become material for learning.
At the February 2022 inspection, the early years curriculum was judged effective, with learning plans focused on what children needed to know. Knowledge developed cumulatively across terms, giving the nursery’s play and activities a planned learning direction.
Before children join, families are offered a home visit from Early Years staff. This gives parents time to ask questions and share information in familiar surroundings. Nursery preparation also includes drop-in sessions, some accompanied by family members and some attended independently. For children with SEND, this preparation can be extended to increase familiarity with staff and the setting.
In February 2022, children were settling into nursery promptly. Day-to-day communication includes an open-door approach, allowing parents to raise questions with the team. At home, families are encouraged to share stories daily, and receive activity ideas connected with maths and current projects.
Additional needs are supported through the academy’s cycle of assessment, planning, action and review. Parents contribute to support plans and discuss them at termly meetings. The Inclusion Team and SENCO provide routes for discussing concerns; specialist help can include speech and language therapists or occupational therapists. Thrive supports emotional understanding and regulation across the school, while Family Thrive courses help parents explore how to support this at home.
Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. The application route is through Doncaster Council.
Continuity between nursery and Reception, supported by liaison between staff, is an Early Years aim. For children with SEND, preparation for a new classroom can include extra visits and social stories. These arrangements help with the change of setting; they do not replace the admissions application.
For parent enquiries, contact office@richmond.doncaster.sch.uk or telephone 01302 782421. The academy is at Melton Road, Sprotbrough, Doncaster, DN5 7SB.
The typical F1 timetable runs from 8:35 to 3:00, with lunch at 11:45. Before starting, families are encouraged to practise everyday independence: managing a coat, washing hands, using the toilet and tidying toys. These small routines help children take part in the day’s activities with greater independence.
Morning activities include communication and language, phonics, a snack and indoor and outdoor play. A maths meeting, further play and a story feature in the afternoon.
Families are offered a home visit. Nursery drop-in sessions include time with and without family members, and preparation can be extended for children with SEND.
Parents can record family experiences in a journal or diary. Staff use children’s interests in conversations and activities, and families are encouraged to share stories daily.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process, via Doncaster Council.
Email office@richmond.doncaster.sch.uk or call 01302 782421. Parents can also speak with the Early Years team through its open-door approach.
