King Edward Primary School & Nursery: Nursery Review

Children’s interests help shape the learning at King Edward’s nursery, with conversation, play and adult teaching working together. This is the school’s F1 provision in Littleworth, Mansfield: a 39-place nursery for children aged 3 to 4, led by a qualified teacher. Families can choose funded 15-hour or 30-hour places, making the length of the nursery day a practical part of the choice.

Language is a clear thread through the curriculum. Adults develop conversations around children’s interests, introduce vocabulary and use stories, poetry and rhymes to give children more ways to express themselves. Role play brings those words into use: children share ideas and practise talking with support from their teacher. The emphasis is on using language, rather than simply hearing it.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven areas of development. Alongside learning to communicate, move and manage relationships, children explore reading and writing, maths, creativity and the world around them. Topics take their direction from children’s interests. That gives adults a starting point for extending something a child already wants to explore.

Play sits alongside demonstrations from adults and more direct teaching. Indoor and outdoor learning spaces support exploration and independent activity. The approach also puts persistence and problem-solving into everyday learning: children are encouraged to investigate, adjust their ideas and keep trying when something proves difficult. Pretend play and sorting materials are examples within this approach, connecting imagination with practical thinking.

Stay and Play sessions invite F1 parents to take part, while parent meetings and informal drop-in sessions provide opportunities to discuss learning. These give families a connection with the nursery’s approach and a chance to talk about their child’s development.

Communication support has a named tool: WellComm. Every EYFS child is screened, with intervention for those who need it. This links the curriculum’s emphasis on spoken language with a process for identifying children who need additional help.

Across the school, SEND support includes adjustments to teaching and collaboration with families and outside professionals. Parents can contact the SENCO through the school office to discuss their child’s needs. Nursery children also qualify for free school milk until their fifth birthday.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through the normal admissions process. For children living in Nottinghamshire, the route is Nottinghamshire County Council, including when the preferred school is outside the county.

The closing date for the September 2026 intake was 15 January 2026. That application cycle is past. Nursery attendance and choosing a Reception school remain separate decisions, so families should plan the next application alongside their nursery arrangements.

Morning 15-hour places run from 8:40am to 11:40am; afternoon places run from 12:25pm to 3:25pm. The 30-hour option runs from 8:40am to 3:25pm. Between the two teaching sessions is a 45-minute lunch interval, with a separate charge for supervision for children staying across it. Contact the school for current charges.

Families whose needs do not fit these timings can discuss alternatives with staff, who will try to accommodate them where possible. This is a conditional arrangement rather than a guaranteed flexible booking option.

Nursery applications use a Microsoft form. Enquiries can go to office7@kingedward.notts.sch.uk or 01623 472215. School visits can also be arranged through the main office, giving families a direct route to book a look around.