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Nursery at Barnby Road Academy Primary and Nursery school
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Language, outdoor exploration and a home visit for every child taking a place give Barnby Road Academy’s nursery its character. This is the school’s Foundation 1 provision on John Gold Avenue in Newark. Children can begin in the term after turning three and remain until the academic year following their fourth birthday ends.
In November 2023, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The early years curriculum matched children’s needs, with experiences that extended their understanding and spaces designed to encourage independent learning.
A morning or afternoon session gives children a three-hour nursery day; eligible families can take a longer day with a lunchtime break. Language receives deliberate attention from the early years team through conversations and targeted intervention programmes. For a child developing their vocabulary, this makes communication part of learning throughout the session.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together physical development, communication and emotional and social development, alongside early mathematics, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. Learning involves active exploration and play, with activities shaped around children’s interests and needs.
Outdoor learning has a specific home in Roisin’s Garden, a space shared by Nursery and Reception children. In November 2023, early years experiences included vegetable growing and trips to the seaside and local library. These give children things to investigate and talk about beyond the classroom. Nursery children also practised letters and sounds, building familiarity with the tools they would use when learning to read.
Every child taking a nursery place receives a visit at home from a nursery staff member. Parents can ask questions during the visit, and staff meet the family in familiar surroundings. For children joining with recognised additional needs, the school works with parents, the previous setting and involved agencies to plan support.
Lunch can be brought from home or bought as a school meal when children stay over lunchtime. Meals are cooked in the school kitchen, with a vegetarian main and jacket potato among the choices. Families can also take their child home for the lunch break.
The school’s SEND support includes Makaton and assisted communication where needed. Parents help set and review individual learning targets, giving them a role in deciding the next steps. Concerns can be raised with the special educational needs coordinator at senco@barnbyroad.co.uk.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through the local authority where their child lives, following the normal admissions timetable.
Attendance does confer conditional priority for 2027-2028: children living within catchment who attend this nursery are in criterion 3, ahead of other catchment children in criterion 4. Outside catchment, nursery attendees are in criterion 7, ahead of other outside-catchment applicants in criterion 8. Higher criteria still take precedence. This is an allocation advantage, not a promise of admission.
Transition support for children with additional needs is separate from that priority. Information about how a child learns is passed to the receiving staff, and visits are planned around the child’s needs.
The 15-hour options run from 8.30am to 11.30am or 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Eligible working parents of three- and four-year-olds can access 30 funded hours, with the full day running from 8.30am to 3.30pm. The additional lunchtime hour is charged when a funded full-day place is accepted. Funded hours cannot be shared with another childcare setting.
Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am to 8.45am, and Afterschool Club from 3pm to 6pm; both are chargeable for nursery children. Ask the school for current charges. Extended-funding eligibility codes need checking again before each term ends.
Applications go to the school office. Starts are in September, January or April, subject to places, and funding follows a three-term year. To arrange a school visit, email office@barnbyroad.co.uk.
Children can start Foundation 1 in the school term after their third birthday. Entry points are September, January and April, subject to places.
Morning sessions are 8.30am to 11.30am and afternoon sessions are 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The 30-hour option spans 8.30am to 3.30pm, including a lunchtime hour charged separately.
No. A separate application is required. Nursery attendance gives priority within specified catchment and outside-catchment categories for 2027-2028, but higher admissions criteria still apply.
Every child taking a nursery place receives a home visit from a nursery staff member. This gives parents an opportunity to ask questions.
Yes. Children staying for lunch can bring a packed lunch or have a purchased school meal. Breakfast Club and Afterschool Club are available to nursery children at a charge.
