East Markham Primary School Nursery Review

You Choose and Dear Zoo give Caterpillars a starting point for talking about themselves, their families and the world around them. This is East Markham Primary School’s nursery class, known as Foundation 1, for children from three until they move on to Foundation 2. Its character comes from creative play, practical exploration and learning to do things independently.

Based at the school on Askham Road in East Markham, the nursery offers morning and afternoon sessions. Families can also arrange lunchtime care, making the midday break an important part of planning attendance.

Learning follows the Early Years Framework alongside Development Matters guidance. In parent language, the nursery uses children’s development and ways of learning to plan experiences. Practical activities and opportunities to solve problems give children ways to explore ideas for themselves.

The opening autumn topic, What Makes Me Special?, invites children to discuss their families and what makes them different. You Choose and Dear Zoo support that conversation through stories. These are concrete starting points for children who are learning to express themselves and listen to others.

Another autumn topic, What is a Celebration?, brings together birthdays, Diwali, Christmas and Halloween. Stories and craft activities help children compare these occasions. Music and pretend play also bring festival traditions, colours, food and symbols into the topic. A planned visit to East Markham Church links the topic with a place beyond the classroom.

In June 2023, Ofsted found that early-years staff linked activities thoughtfully, helped children develop independence and addressed gaps in their learning. That gives parents a dated assessment of how the youngest children were supported, rather than a separate nursery grade.

Starting nursery includes getting used to routines, meeting familiar adults and making friends. The nursery aims to work with families throughout children’s development, giving parents a role in recognising milestones as children settle into class life.

For children staying through lunch, families can provide a packed lunch or arrange a school dinner. Dinners require advance ordering and payment through the office. Lunch supervision carries a separate charge, so attending both sessions involves more planning than simply choosing morning and afternoon hours.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities sits within the school’s inclusion arrangements. The school can seek outside advice through Springboard meetings, the Early Help Unit and the Bassetlaw Primary Behaviour Partnership. These provide routes for coordinating help around an individual child’s needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Nottinghamshire County Council’s normal application route and meet the deadline for their intake. Choosing Caterpillars should therefore be a decision about the nursery experience, with the later school application treated separately.

Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am; afternoons run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Paid lunchtime care covers 11:30am to 12:30pm. Ask the school for current charges before booking that additional provision.

The universal funded offer is 15 hours from the term after a child’s third birthday. Eligible working parents can access the extended 30-hour offer over 38 term-time weeks. The school asks families seeking extended funding to apply in the term before their child turns three.

Nursery applications go directly to the school using its application form, returned by email, post or in person. Term-time tours can be arranged through the office at office@eastmarkham.notts.sch.uk or 01777 870439.

Parking. The small school car park usually accommodates staff, with additional parking on the street outside. Allow for this when planning collection and drop-off.