St Joseph's Nursery, Boughton

A sliding partition and a weekly Forest School lesson give St Joseph's nursery two distinct rhythms: focused work in its own space and exploration alongside the wider early years group. Foundation 1 (F1) is the nursery provision within St Joseph's Catholic Primary and Nursery School in Boughton. It shares an early years unit with Foundation 2, combining spaces for play while retaining separate areas for focused activities.

Speaking, listening and practical discovery shape the learning. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children have daily opportunities to explore art materials, with activities planned around their interests and developing skills. Adults observe their work to decide what to introduce next. That gives creative exploration a purpose beyond the finished picture.

Early reading uses Little Wandle, with nursery work concentrating on Phase 1 of Letters and Sounds: developing speech and listening as foundations for later phonics. In September 2023, Ofsted found nursery children enthusiastic about learning, enjoying rhymes and traditional songs, including Old MacDonald’s Farm. Adults introduced accurate letter sounds from the beginning.

Mathematics has a dedicated session each day in F1. Children use physical resources and connect ideas with familiar experiences, while linked rhymes change every two weeks. Numbers therefore come with things to handle and language to practise. Specialist music sessions take place weekly across all classes, adding opportunities to explore instruments.

Outside, EYFS children attend Forest School every week throughout the year. The redeveloped wildlife area within the grounds includes a digging space and mud kitchen, a bug hotel, planting beds and a friendship circle made from tree stumps. Children can investigate living things and explore natural materials; focused tool activities receive individual adult supervision. This is a regular part of learning, with clothing chosen for outdoor activity in every season.

The F1 team includes a class teacher and teaching assistant. The nursery teacher also holds responsibilities for early years, reading, Forest School and deputy safeguarding leadership, bringing those strands together within the team. Weekly homework reaches families through Marvellous Me, providing a regular link between classroom learning and home.

Support beyond the classroom includes the school's Oasis building, where the pastoral team works with emotional and additional needs. Two trained ELSA specialists provide support individually, in groups and with classes. Oasis provides an additional school space for emotional and additional needs support.

Forest School sessions include a snack, sometimes prepared over the fire pit. All school staff have basic safeguarding training, and parents can raise concerns through the school office.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Nottinghamshire County Council within the normal admissions timetable. For September 2026 entry, the application period ran from 3 November 2025 to 15 January 2026; that cycle has passed.

Shared play in the early years unit gives nursery children experience of the adjoining Foundation 2 space. The sliding partition allows the groups to separate for focused work. This classroom connection is distinct from the application process and should not be treated as securing admission.

Visits can be arranged by appointment through the office on 01623 860392 or by emailing office@st-joseph-pri.notts.sch.uk. The school is on Main Road, Boughton, Newark, NG22 9JE.

Uniform is optional for nursery children. Forest School has its own practical clothing requirements: long sleeves and trousers in summer as well as winter, with closed footwear. Seasonal additions include warm hats and gloves in winter, and a sun hat and sun cream in summer. These requirements matter because outdoor lessons continue in poor weather.