Netherbrook Primary School Nursery Review

Shared play spaces and child-led learning give Netherbrook’s nursery its character. Nursery children belong to an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) unit alongside Reception children, learning and playing together indoors and outside. This makes the nursery part of a shared early-years setting rather than an isolated classroom.

There are 48 part-time nursery places and a 30-place full-time nursery unit. A separate Time for Twos unit has 56 part-time preschool places. The provision sits within Netherbrook Primary School on Chester Road in Netherton, Dudley.

Ofsted judged the school’s early-years provision Good at the inspection on 6 and 7 June 2023. That judgement covers the early-years provision within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Adult-guided activities sit alongside periods when children choose their own learning. Defined activity spaces give adults room to lead, while free movement during child-led time lets children select activities independently. Staff observe those choices and use what they learn to plan each child’s next steps. Choice has a purpose here.

The EYFS curriculum combines language, physical development and social and emotional learning with early literacy, number, creative expression and understanding the world. In parent terms, learning to communicate and manage relationships matters alongside beginning to read and work with numbers. Development Matters is used alongside the EYFS framework, with recognition that children develop at different speeds.

Rocket Phonics gives early sound work a named structure. Nursery activities include listening to environmental and instrumental sounds, exploring rhyme and using the voice, before working on joining and separating spoken sounds. This starts with listening rather than rushing straight to written words.

Outdoor learning is a substantial part of the setting. In June 2023, the early-years outdoor space supported learning across the curriculum, and staff helped children become enthusiastic about learning. Indoors and outdoors are shared learning environments, giving children opportunities to work and play with others across the EYFS unit.

Children work with several adults from the EYFS team. The school places personal, social and emotional development centrally in its early-years approach, so relationships and growing independence sit alongside curriculum activities.

SEND support extends across ages 2–11. The team includes SENCO, early-years leadership and speech-and-language roles, and works with services including Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy. For families needing additional support, this connects classroom provision with specialist advice.

Parents take part in regular SEND reviews and receive updates on their child’s progress. Contact the team at sendco@netherbrook.dudley.sch.uk. A Family Support/Attendance Officer also meets parents about concerns and helps with referrals through the school office, providing another route for discussing difficulties affecting family life.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process. Primary applications can be made online, with Dudley MBC providing admissions information.

The shared EYFS unit gives nursery children experience of learning and playing alongside Reception children. That familiarity is useful preparation for a change of class, but it must be kept separate from the question of securing a school place.

Part-time and full-time nursery provision give families different attendance models. For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 01384 818415 or email info@netherbrook.dudley.sch.uk.

School visits can be arranged by contacting Netherbrook. A visit offers families a chance to see the shared early-years spaces that shape the nursery day before choosing the provision.