Scawthorpe Sunnyfields Primary School Nursery Review

Learning to share, listening to stories and getting moving outdoors give Sunnyfields’ nursery its character. This is the nursery within Scawthorpe Sunnyfields Primary School on Rose Crescent in Doncaster. Children attend from age three, with provision for early starters.

The early years findings from December 2022 give a clear picture of the provision: children’s learning and personal development were exceptionally strong, with children listening closely, working together and helping one another. Social learning starts in Nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings learning, development and care together for young children. Sunnyfields plans early years learning around children’s interests and needs, reviewing their development regularly. For parents, that means the curriculum takes account of the individual child rather than treating everyone’s starting point as identical.

Stories, singing and rhymes feature in the early years experience. In December 2022, children enjoyed adults reading aloud, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Sound learning also helped early years children pick up new sounds quickly, giving language development a practical place in their learning.

Outdoor learning has concrete equipment behind it. Bikes and slides supported physical development, with children learning to use them safely. These activities combine movement with learning how to manage equipment and share space with others.

Behaviour support is adapted for the youngest children. In EYFS, adults demonstrate expectations during play and familiar routines, helping children manage feelings alongside them. The emphasis is on beginning to regulate behaviour with adult support.

Class Dojo connects families with teachers through learning photographs, reminders and class updates. Parents can also message their child’s teacher. This gives families a way to follow classroom activity and raise a concern between conversations in person.

Additional needs are addressed through the school’s Assess, Plan, Do, Review process. Families contribute to planning, and SEND Support reviews usually happen at least once a term, with greater frequency where needed. The SENCo coordinates specialist referrals, which may include Speech and Language Therapy or Occupational Therapy. Early Intervention Allowance funding may be sought to increase staffing or support individuals and small groups where children need provision beyond the usual offer.

Home visits in EYFS and information from previous childcare settings contribute to identifying needs. That gives staff ways to understand a child’s experience before relying solely on classroom observations.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal local authority process by the applicable deadline. The council coordinates applications through each family’s home local authority.

Reception priority. The admission arrangements for the 2025/2026 cycle gave no priority for nursery attendance. That cycle’s deadline was 15 January 2025; it is a past deadline. Nursery should therefore be chosen for the early years experience, with the Reception application treated as a separate decision.

Transition support is distinct from admission. For children with SEND moving between classes, support plans and information pass to the next teacher. Children can experience teaching in their next classroom, and extra transition visits may be arranged when needed. Familiarity helps prepare a child for change; it does not determine allocation of a place.

The school office can be contacted on 01302 780386 or at office@sunnyfields.doncaster.sch.uk. Families seeking a conversation with the SENCo can contact the office.

The school’s standard uniform includes a red jumper or cardigan, a white top and grey or black bottoms, with plain black shoes. Branded Sunnyfields clothing is optional, allowing families to use plain items.