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Nursery at Tickhill St Mary's Church of England Primary and Nursery School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Language gives this nursery its character: adults introduce vocabulary that children then use in their play and conversations. Nursery belongs to Tickhill St Mary's Church of England Primary and Nursery School in Tickhill, where the school's age range starts at three.
The Ofsted report dated 27 January 2026 awards early years Strong standard. That judgement covers the school's early-years provision, rather than a separate nursery inspection. Its strongest details concern children's engagement, carefully organised routines and learning planned around individual needs.
Half-day sessions and a full-day option give families different lengths of nursery day. Within early years, established routines support calm behaviour, while children practise newly introduced skills through activities and play with their peers. Learning has a clear purpose.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the nursery's curriculum framework. Here, communication and language receive explicit emphasis: adults demonstrate how to use language and organise activities that extend children's understanding. Children put that vocabulary to work as they learn together, making conversation part of learning rather than an occasional separate exercise.
Handwriting preparation starts in Nursery. The focus includes control of small hand movements and learning how to form letters, giving children practical foundations for later writing. Alongside this, the early-years curriculum develops progressively from Nursery, with experiences selected to suit children's needs. The January 2026 early-years findings describe children as eager to learn, confident and absorbed in their activities.
Starting nursery involves partnership with families and a child's previous childcare setting. The January 2026 early-years findings describe a carefully organised transition into school, so information from the adults who already know a child helps shape that beginning.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), early-years experiences are matched to their needs, with consideration given to the support required to take part. The school's wider SEND arrangements include observation and monitoring, Individual Support Plans (SSPs), reviewed targets and specialist advice. Parents participate in that process. An appointment with the SENCo can be arranged through the school office.
Classroom support. The January 2026 findings also identify inconsistent teaching adaptations for SEND across the school, separately from the positive early-years judgement. Families should discuss how their child's support will work within nursery activities.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the local authority; nursery applications go directly to the school. Treat these as two distinct decisions.
As a voluntary-aided school, St Mary's uses admission criteria determined by its governing body to advise the local authority about applications. Starting nursery therefore does not replace the normal Reception application process.
Morning nursery runs from 8.45am to 11.45am, and afternoon nursery from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The full-day session runs from 8.45am to 3.30pm. These are nursery hours, so use them when planning collection and the working day.
For nursery enquiries and applications, telephone 01302 742569 or email office@tickhillstmary.co.uk. The school is on St Mary's Road, Tickhill, Doncaster, DN11 9LZ. Check its own term calendar when arranging family plans: school dates can differ from the local authority's holiday pattern.
Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am, afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, and full days from 8.45am to 3.30pm.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the local authority. Nursery applications are made directly to the school.
Communication and language are an explicit early-years priority. Nursery also introduces letter formation and develops the small hand movements needed for writing.
The early-years transition involves close work with families and previous childcare settings. Learning experiences and support are planned around children's needs.
Contact the school directly on 01302 742569 or email office@tickhillstmary.co.uk.
