Whaley Thorns Primary School Nursery

Learning shaped around individual children is the defining feature of Whaley Thorns Primary School’s early years provision. In the Ofsted inspection of 15 and 16 October 2024, early years provision received a Good judgement within the school’s inspection. This is an early years judgement, rather than a separate nursery rating.

The nursery belongs to the primary school on Portland Road in Langwith. For parents considering a school nursery, the useful distinction here is between the learning and care children receive now and the separate application needed for their next school place.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for early years learning. Here, individual needs shape that curriculum, with developing knowledge of the world and practising speaking and listening among the learning examples below. In October 2024, staff checked what children understood carefully and used that knowledge to develop their understanding of their surroundings. Children also spoke with confidence about future ambitions, including working as a doctor. These details give parents a concrete picture of learning that responds to the child, with conversation helping staff understand what each child knows.

Classroom experiences include opportunities to practise speaking and listening. A festive visit for the F1 children involved talking about friendship and kindness, listening to a visitor and sharing Christmas wishes. It was a particular event, but the activities illustrate how a shared occasion can give young children something meaningful to discuss.

RSPB Bird Week brought learning outdoors across the school: every class took tally sheets outside to record birds seen locally. That linked observation with recording, giving children a practical reason to look closely at the natural world.

Each child in the Early Years Foundation Stage is assigned a key person. This gives the care structure a specific adult connection, alongside the wider school team.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school’s SENDCo coordinates individual provision and works with families, staff and other agencies. Teachers review children’s progress with the SENDCo and consider changes to support. The practical benefit is a process for adjusting provision as a child’s needs develop.

Safeguarding responsibilities extend to early years. Staff receive training on joining and further updates, while a designated safeguarding lead has deputy cover. Concerns are normally discussed with parents, except where doing so could increase the danger to a child. Personal phones and tablets cannot be used by staff working in early years while children are present; setting-provided devices are used to record learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the relevant deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two distinct decisions.

For children with SEND, the SENDCo’s responsibilities include liaising with potential next education providers and involving parents in planning the change. That support concerns continuity of care and learning; it does not determine admission.

The school can be contacted on 01623 742604 or at office@whaleythorns.teameducation.org. Its address is Portland Road, Langwith, Mansfield, NG20 9HB.

Parents must provide at least two emergency contacts and keep the school informed when those numbers change. This gives staff alternative ways to reach a responsible adult when a child needs help.