John Hunt Academy Nursery Review

A climbing frame, early mark-making and friendships give John Hunt Academy’s nursery its character: learning starts through play, with families sharing the small steps along the way. The provision takes children aged three and four and forms the school’s Foundation 1 stage. Its Early Years team works with the school’s Early Years Leader, placing nursery within the wider school’s early education provision.

In May 2024, Ofsted graded early years provision Good. Children were curious about their learning, played sociably and developed independence through activities and books connected to their topics. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Three term-time patterns shape the week: mornings, afternoons or an all-day option, each running Monday to Friday. That gives families a choice between a shorter session and a longer nursery day.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides planning and observations across seven learning areas. In everyday terms, that means practising conversation, managing feelings, developing movement and self-care, and exploring stories, numbers, the world and creative expression. Counting and investigating shapes sit alongside singing, imaginative play and making early marks. Learning to share and take turns is part of the curriculum too, so social development has a place alongside early literacy and mathematics. Friendships and managing feelings are explicit learning goals.

Physical learning includes a climbing frame. Books, stories and exploration of letter sounds introduce literacy, while nature and the environment provide material for discovery. In May 2024, children studied a chrysalis and its change into a butterfly; topic-related books helped extend their learning. Play also gave them opportunities to work out problems together. These examples connect observation, language and practical exploration rather than treating learning as separate exercises.

Tapestry connects nursery learning with home. Staff share photographs, videos and brief observations, while parents can respond or contribute their own examples. Weekly Tapestry Tasks invite families to join in with activities at home. The exchange gives staff information about children’s interests and routines, and gives parents something concrete to discuss with their child.

Lunch supervision carries a separate charge, and a school lunch is optional. Families should contact the school for current charges when planning an all-day place.

For additional needs, the school’s special educational needs co-ordinators can be contacted through the office email address. Families can also discuss support with their child’s teacher or the safeguarding and pastoral team, including a referral to the Early Help Unit. Across the school, six designated safeguarding leads provide a team structure, with at least one present throughout school time.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Children do not transfer automatically: parents must make a separate school application through Nottinghamshire County Council’s admissions process.

For September 2026 entry, the application deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle is now past. The nursery team’s work with the Early Years Leader aims to prepare children for Reception, but preparation and the allocation of a school place are separate matters.

Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am; afternoons run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The all-day pattern runs from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Eligible families can use 15-hour or 30-hour funded places, with additional paid hours available for children who do not qualify for extended funding. Provision is term-time only.

Breakfast Club starts at 7:30am in the Hub, and YMCA After School Club extends care until 6pm. Both are available to nursery children, giving families options beyond the nursery session times.

Drop-off and collection use the side of the building. Children must be collected by an approved adult aged 16 or over. There are no visitor parking spaces; street parking is available on London Road and nearby side streets. To arrange a nursery visit, email office@johnhunt.notts.sch.uk.