The Nettleham Infant and Nursery School: Nursery Review

A carefully planned start to learning, with a nursery environment that needed further development: that is the balance here. The nursery belongs to The Nettleham Infant and Nursery School in Nettleham, where the whole-school age range is three to seven. This review concerns the nursery provision within that school.

Ofsted graded early years provision Good at its inspection on 6 and 7 December 2023. That judgement covers the early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The nursery curriculum gave children a sound starting point for subsequent learning, making the planning of children's experiences a positive feature of the provision.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) curriculum organises the knowledge and skills children are intended to develop. In December 2023, this curriculum was still becoming established. Nursery learning had been carefully thought through, but the surroundings did not yet give children enough opportunities to experience that planned curriculum fully.

Learning environment. The nursery environment needed further development to match the curriculum's ambitions. For families, this is a meaningful qualification to the positive curriculum finding: planning what children should learn and giving them surroundings that support that learning are two connected parts of the nursery day. The improvement required was to bring those parts closer together.

Learning also includes managing feelings and sharing with others. In December 2023, the EYFS placed emphasis on waiting patiently, taking turns and developing self-control. Clear routines helped children understand expectations for their behaviour. These are practical foundations for joining activities alongside other children, rather than treating learning solely as acquiring knowledge.

Identifying children's needs began early. In December 2023, staff recognised needs promptly and accurately from the beginning of the Nursery Year, then developed individual plans for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Advice from specialists informed the support put in place. For a family whose child needs additional help, that connects early recognition with a planned response.

Communication and language received targeted support through selected activities. This gives the care picture a concrete educational focus: helping children develop communication was part of the support approach. Alongside the EYFS emphasis on self-control, it shows how support and learning were linked, with attention to the skills children need to participate.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the applicable deadline. Choosing nursery provision and obtaining a school place are separate decisions; nursery attendance should not be treated as confirmation of the next stage.

The school is on All Saints Lane, Nettleham, Lincoln, LN2 2NT. Its telephone number is 01522750964, providing a direct contact route for families considering the nursery.