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Nursery at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Edlington
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Pasta threading, outdoor shadow hunts and a book-led curriculum give this nursery its character: practical exploration with plenty of conversation. St Mary's calls its nursery Foundation Stage One, placing it within the school's early years provision in Edlington. Its Christian ethos extends to early learning, so faith forms part of the educational setting families choose.
The Ofsted report dated 6 January 2026 judged early years to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers the early years provision, rather than constituting a separate nursery rating. Language development is a clear priority, with routines introduced from the start to help children understand the expectations of their day.
Children combine play they choose themselves with teaching led by adults. Small-group work and individual activities sit alongside focused teaching, giving children opportunities both to pursue an interest and to practise something new. The curriculum is book led and responds to children's changing interests.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together early reading and number, physical development, communication, relationships, creative expression and learning about the world. In parent terms, learning to explain an idea or work alongside another child matters alongside recognising a number. Six topics organise learning across the year, with visitors, experience days and educational visits adding connections to the wider world.
Practical examples make that approach tangible. Nursery children have threaded pasta onto string and pushed pipe cleaners through colanders, giving their fingers precise tasks to tackle. Outdoors, they have searched for shadows and drawn around one another's silhouettes. Across EYFS, children have also built a dark den beneath tables using fabric, then experimented with torches and shadow puppets. These activities connect physical materials with questions children can investigate themselves.
In January 2026, adult conversation helped children develop their ideas during play and planned activities. Children maintained attention and moved between activities independently. Mathematics tasks used resources of differing sizes to make participation accessible: a concrete example of adapting the activity to the child.
Relationships with families support settling. In January 2026, staff worked with parents to recognise children's needs promptly and help them become comfortable in the setting. Parents' observations also contribute to assessment, allowing what a child does at home to inform planning in class.
OTrack records children's development, with updates at least once per term. Staff use observation to decide the next learning steps. For additional needs, the school's Graduated Approach for SEND includes work with local authority and NHS services; families can contact the SEND coordinator through the office or at SEND@smcps.co.uk.
A school-wide improvement priority in January 2026 was to narrow disadvantaged pupils' achievement gaps in literacy and mathematics across year groups, keeping support closely matched to need. This provides a useful focus for conversations about a child's individual progress.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Doncaster's online primary admissions route. The school also asks applicants to complete the Roman Catholic Additional Information form and return it directly to the school. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery attendance.
Two nursery patterns give families a clear starting point: Nursery AM runs from 8.45am to 11.45am, while the Nursery 30hrs option runs from 8.45am to 3.15pm. These are nursery-specific times, so use them when planning collection.
Nursery application forms go directly to the school. January and April early starts depend on places being available and the child qualifying. For enquiries, contact the office on 01709 863280 or email admin@smcps.co.uk. Keep contact details current and tell staff if a different person will collect your child, as the school's safeguarding guidance requires.
Nursery AM runs from 8.45am to 11.45am. The Nursery 30hrs option runs from 8.45am to 3.15pm.
Activities include threading pasta, using pipe cleaners with colanders and exploring shadows outdoors. The curriculum combines children's own play choices with adult-led teaching.
Staff build relationships with parents to identify needs and support settling. Parents' observations contribute to children's assessment and future learning plans.
No. Families apply separately through Doncaster's primary admissions route and send the Roman Catholic Additional Information form directly to the school.
Contact the school office on 01709 863280 or at admin@smcps.co.uk. Nursery applications are returned directly to the school.
