Djanogly Northgate Academy Nursery

Play with a clear learning purpose shapes Northgate’s early years approach. The nursery takes children from age three and forms part of Djanogly Northgate Academy in New Basford, Nottingham. Its stated aim is to build independence and confidence through play, with adults guiding learning while making room for children’s interests.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning with children’s development. Communication, movement and emotional development sit alongside maths, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. This gives the curriculum a broader purpose than preparing children to read: relationships, physical development and expressing ideas count too.

Northgate says its teachers identify what children should learn while allowing their interests to influence how they engage with it. Familiar interests help shape the learning environment; purposeful experiences are intended to extend children’s knowledge beyond everyday life. The balance is deliberate: children have scope to explore, with adults keeping learning goals in view.

Exploration, sustained involvement and independent thinking are central to the approach. Staff track progress through conversations and interactions, photographs, examples of children’s work and focused assessments. That creates several ways to recognise learning, rather than relying on a single task or finished piece of work.

In June 2023, Ofsted found that children in early years enjoyed learning and were happy. Phonics also began within early years, with a planned sequence for learning sounds. These findings concern the early years within the school; they do not amount to a separate nursery rating.

Relationships are part of the nursery’s educational approach. Northgate emphasises secure relationships with parents and/or a key person as a basis for children developing independence. That places emotional security alongside learning, rather than treating care as a separate concern.

The academy’s inclusion team includes a SEND coordinator who also holds a designated safeguarding role, an inclusion mentor and a senior teaching assistant for inclusion. These are school-level roles, giving families identifiable types of support to approach about additional needs. A receptionist with parent liaison responsibilities provides another point of contact between home and school.

Food is prepared using fresh ingredients in the academy’s own kitchen. This is a school catering arrangement; it should not be read as a promise that every nursery session includes lunch.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline.

Applications to the academy go through Nottingham City Council, using either its online application form or a paper form. Treat that application as a distinct step in planning your child’s move into school, even if your child already attends the nursery.

The academy welcomes families to look around before choosing it. A visit offers a useful opportunity to consider whether its approach suits your child.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0115 915 6896 or email admin@northgate.djanogly.org. The academy is on Suez Street, New Basford, Nottingham, NG7 7GB. An enquiry form is another contact option.