Blue Bell Hill Primary and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Songs, games and practical maths give Blue Bell Hill’s nursery a clear starting point: young children explore ideas through things they can use and do. Nursery sits within the school’s Foundation unit, where learning activities remain accessible for children to choose. This is the nursery provision at Blue Bell Hill Primary and Nursery School on Gordon Road in St Ann’s, Nottingham.

Practical exploration shapes the mathematics provision. Nursery children encounter maths through songs, games and resources, while the Foundation curriculum includes measurement, shape, problem solving and awareness of space alongside number. The revised 2023 EYFS Development Matters framework guides this work with the school’s own curriculum. For parents, that means early mathematical learning involves exploring ideas and relationships, rather than number work alone.

Short maths teaching takes place each week across Foundation, with activities indoors and outside using Maths No Problem. Children can also explore mathematical ideas through the activities accessible around the unit; additional planned play gives particular concepts more attention. Adult teaching and opportunities to choose activities both have a place.

Launchpad is the named early-years reading approach. Its themes include distinguishing sounds, decoding, understanding texts and using expression when reading. Retelling stories aloud and exploring vocabulary connect listening and language with understanding what a story means.

At the inspection on 29 and 30 April 2025, early-years children maintained their attention on chosen activities, including planting and playing with water, and shared with one another. Staff understood the learning purpose behind activities. A school-wide improvement priority was more consistent checking of understanding before pupils moved forward in their learning; this should not be treated as a separate nursery judgement.

Marvellous Me connects the school with parents through messages about children’s learning, achievements and letters. Parents obtain a joining code from the office, giving families a practical route into this communication system.

Support also extends to family life. The school’s Family Support Worker offers advice and help finding services for concerns such as behaviour, health, sleep or difficulties at home. Contact is possible through the office, by telephone on extension 5 or at familysupport@bluebellhill.org.uk. Families can raise concerns beyond classroom learning through that route.

For questions about special educational needs and disabilities, parents can contact the office and ask to speak with the SEND coordinator. This provides a direct starting point for discussing a child’s support needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child’s intake.

Applications are handled by Nottingham City through its coordinated admissions scheme, with online, telephone and postal routes. For September 2025 entry, the closing date was 15 January 2025. That deadline belongs to a past intake.

The school office is the enquiry route: call 0115 9151161 or email admin@bluebellhill.org.uk. Prospective parents can arrange a school visit. This gives families a concrete next step when considering the nursery and a chance to discuss their child with the school.