Howitt Primary Community School Nursery Review

A purpose-built nursery and a separate Rhyme room give Howitt’s youngest children their own starting points within the school. The provision includes two-year-olds, while the Nursery accommodates up to 40 children in each morning and afternoon session. It forms part of the school’s Foundation Stage, within a site divided into Nursery, Infant and Junior areas in Heanor.

Short sessions sit alongside an all-day Nursery option. That gives families a choice of day lengths, rather than a single attendance pattern. Ofsted graded early years provision Good following the June 2023 inspection, with children developing independence, curiosity and familiarity with daily routines.

Play has a clear teaching purpose here. Children choose materials and pursue their interests, while adults demonstrate skills, ask questions and offer clues to help them tackle something they cannot yet manage alone. Support is reduced as confidence grows. Adult-directed activities and children’s own choices both have a place in the day.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven areas of development. Communication, movement and emotional development provide the foundations; early reading and writing, maths, creative work and understanding the world build on them. For parents, this means learning extends beyond early academic skills to relationships, concentration and managing feelings.

Indoor and outdoor learning spaces support this approach. Early years art includes experimenting with colour combinations, shapes and different drawing materials. Technology resources include Bee-bots, cameras and microscopes, giving children objects to explore and tools to investigate with.

For two-year-olds, Rhyme room topics follow children’s interests and changes in the seasons. Adults observe play and join in to extend it. In June 2023, vocabulary development was a clear strength of the early years provision: adults helped children acquire and use new words. Language learning runs through the day.

Settling begins with Stay and Play before children start, allowing families to become familiar with the classroom and meet other parents. A Nursery teacher and a Rhyme room team provide the teaching structure. Face-to-face conversations, parents’ evenings and Google classroom updates keep families involved in learning and progress.

For children with SEND, starting arrangements can include an induction discussion, contact with the previous setting and a meeting with involved professionals. Transition can be adjusted to help a child settle. Shared conversations in early years bring parents into discussions about targets and progress, making support a continuing dialogue.

All-day Nursery children bring their own lunch. Breakfast Club serves toast, cereals and fruit, with milk or juice; Evening Owls supplies a snack and drink. These are practical food arrangements for families using the longer day.

Reception requires a separate application. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a school place or confer priority for the 2027-2028 intake. Families apply again through Derbyshire County Council, with an on-time primary application deadline of 15 January. Children whose Education & Health Care Plan (EHCP) names the school are admitted. Other applications follow priorities based on care status, the school’s normal area and siblings, followed by other applicants. Straight-line distance breaks ties within criteria 2 to 5.

Familiarity is built separately from admission. Nursery children join school events, including assemblies. During the term before full-time education begins, children are invited to several visits to meet their teacher and get to know the setting. An induction meeting introduces parents to routines and expectations. These activities prepare children for the change; they do not determine allocation.

Rhyme room sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am or 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Nursery mornings are 8:30am to 11:30am, afternoons 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and the all-day option runs from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Collection uses the Rhyme Room door for two-year-olds and the Nursery main door for Nursery children.

Eligible two-year-olds can access 15 funded hours. Eligible three- and four-year-olds can apply for a full-time Nursery place using 30-hour funding, bringing their eligibility code to school before completing session choices. Additional sessions are charged; contact the school for current charges.

Breakfast Club begins at 7:30am and Evening Owls runs from 3:20pm to 6pm, both on weekdays during term time and open to Nursery children. Staff escort children to class from breakfast and collect them for Evening Owls. Book through the office. Nursery enquiries and visit bookings can be made on 01773 713217 or through enquiries@howitt.derbyshire.sch.uk.