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Nursery at Rowena 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Books give Rowena’s nursery its distinctive thread: stories lead into conversation, practical activities and new vocabulary. This is nursery provision for three- and four-year-olds within Rowena Academy on Gardens Lane, Conisbrough, with learning linked to the school’s wider early years curriculum.
At the Ofsted inspection on 26 and 27 November 2024, early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, including nursery, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Children’s independence was a clear strength: they chose resources for themselves, cooperated with others and followed familiar routines.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, manage feelings and move confidently with early reading, number work, creativity and exploration. Here, adult-guided activities sit alongside children’s own choices, with indoor and outdoor learning given equal use. Staff observe children’s progress to shape their next activities.
The Reading Enhanced Curriculum gives this learning a book-led structure. Selections from the National Top 30 Reads provide themes that develop over several weeks, so children can return to ideas and vocabulary through different activities. Talk for Writing and Mastering the Curriculum are linked approaches; daily phonics uses Essential Letters and Sounds. For parents, the practical distinction is repetition with purpose, rather than a succession of disconnected activities.
Role play, small-world activities and a reading area give children different ways to use language. Paint, clay and construction materials invite making and experimenting; filling, weighing and measuring make early maths tangible. Children also practise using scissors and paintbrushes, building the hand control needed for later writing. In November 2024, early writing included making marks and practising pencil control. A careers suitcase introduced different jobs, giving imaginative play a connection to the wider world.
Settling begins with an information pack, a nursery meeting and a stay-and-play invitation for parent and child. Entry into nursery is staggered. For children with additional needs, meetings can bring together parents, the class teacher, the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) and relevant outside professionals. A personalised book can also help a child understand the move into nursery.
A class teacher and support staff make up the nursery team. Across the academy, support can include Time to Talk or NELI (Nuffield Early Language Intervention) for speech and language, depending on need. For children on the Special Needs Register, Graduated Approach targets are reviewed at least termly with parents and staff. These arrangements give families a part in deciding and reviewing support. The academy also has wheelchair access, accessible toilets and changing beds.
School lunches are cooked on site by Mellors Catering Services. Healthy choices are encouraged at lunchtime. In November 2024, daily toothbrushing formed part of early years hygiene routines, supported by links with the school nurse. Personal care therefore also becomes something children learn to manage.
Attending Rowena’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. The application route is the council admission form; choosing nursery should remain a decision about the nursery day itself.
Transition support is a separate matter. For children moving from Rowena’s nursery, information goes to the Reception teacher beforehand and staff hold a planning meeting. Transition sessions and staggered entry help children prepare for the change. Additional-needs meetings and a personalised transition book can be arranged where needed.
Nursery attendance patterns cover 15 or 30 hours per week. Options include five mornings, 8:45am to 11:45am; five afternoons, 12:15pm to 3:15pm; a two-and-a-half-day pattern; or five days, 8:45am to 3:15pm. The shorter daily sessions and grouped days offer different ways to organise a family’s week.
Academy uniform includes royal-blue sweatshirts or cardigans, white polo shirts and black or grey bottoms, with black shoes. Label clothing and equipment with the child’s name and class. For nursery enquiries, contact the office on 01709 863109 or email info@rowenaacademy.org.uk.
The nursery caters for three- and four-year-old children.
Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am and afternoons from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Five-day attendance runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm, and a two-and-a-half-day pattern is also offered.
Families receive an information pack and invitations to a nursery meeting and stay-and-play session. Entry is staggered, with additional planning available for children with additional needs.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception through the council admissions process and meet the normal deadline.
The Reading Enhanced Curriculum uses books to connect activities and vocabulary development. Daily early years phonics uses Essential Letters and Sounds.
