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Nursery at St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Edwinstowe
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play, stories and early number work give the nursery at St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Edwinstowe its shape. Foundation Stage 1 (F1) takes children aged 3 and 4, with entry from the term after their third birthday. Nursery belongs to Class 1, the school's combined nursery and Reception early years class, placing younger children within the school’s early years provision.
In October 2024, Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good and identified it as a strength. That judgement covers early years together, rather than a separate nursery inspection. Language and personal development were clear priorities, giving children support with both communication and the social demands of starting school.
Children have room to direct their play, alongside activities guided by adults. Planning draws on their interests and on themes, so a session combines individual exploration with teaching that has a defined purpose. Development Matters helps guide planning and assessment alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
The EYFS connects seven areas of development. For parents, that means learning stretches beyond letters and numbers: conversation, movement, relationships and managing feelings sit alongside reading, mathematics, creativity and discovering the world. Stories and early writing marks introduce literacy; practical number, shape and pattern activities develop mathematical understanding. Music, imaginative play, dance and art give children different ways to express ideas.
Outdoor space has a distinct early years element: an additional area beside the classroom. Across the school site there is also a field, a concrete playground and a forest school area. The classroom-side space gives the youngest children an outdoor setting of their own, although these facilities should not be read as a promise of scheduled nursery forest school sessions.
The October 2024 findings recognised a carefully organised early years curriculum and effective teamwork. A separate improvement action concerned inconsistent curriculum delivery across the school, including explanations and activities that sometimes left pupils confused or distracted. This was a school-wide concern; it was not identified specifically as a nursery weakness.
Settling starts before the first term. The early years team contacts families during the preceding term to arrange introductory sessions and a starting date. In October 2024, children in early years were settling promptly into routines, an important foundation for taking part in learning.
For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), staff monitor development and respond to emerging difficulties, with parents' concerns included in that process. Support follows an assess, plan, do and review cycle. Termly meetings with families review the help in place and its impact, giving parents a regular opportunity to shape the next steps.
Speech and language therapy and the Early Years support service are among the specialist services the school can involve when needed. The site accommodates wheelchair users and has an accessible toilet with facilities for changing children. Milk is free for children under 5 through Coolmilk registration.
A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place at St Mary's. Families must make a separate school application through Nottinghamshire County Council's application route. Treat this as another application, even when your child already attends F1.
Transition support is a separate matter. Staff pass information between classes, and individual transition plans can be used where a child needs them. For children with SEND, this helps the next team understand the support required; it does not secure admission.
The 15-hour pattern runs Monday to Friday, with either mornings from 8:45am to 11:45am or afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, subject to places at admission. Some children qualify for 30 funded hours, using both sessions.
For the 30-hour arrangement, families can collect children during the lunch interval or use paid lunchtime care. Another option is to drop one morning or afternoon session to condense the hours. The arrangement is chosen for a full term, changes can be requested termly, and families must provide an up-to-date eligibility code before each term. These details matter when matching nursery attendance to a working day.
Register interest through the early years enquiry form, or contact the school office on 01623 822518 or office@stmarysedwinstowe.snmat.org.uk.
Children aged 3 and 4 can join Foundation Stage 1 from the term after their third birthday.
Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am and afternoon sessions from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. Places depend on availability at admission.
Yes. Eligible children use morning and afternoon sessions. Families can collect during the lunch interval or use paid lunchtime care, with an alternative arrangement that reduces attendance by one morning or afternoon session.
The early years team contacts parents during the term before their child starts to arrange settling sessions and a starting date.
No. A separate school application is required through Nottinghamshire County Council's application route.
