Glenbrook Spencer Academy Nursery Review

Stories, rhymes and daily sound games give Glenbrook’s nursery its clearest character: an introduction to learning built around talking and listening. Children can join in the term following their third birthday. The provision sits within Glenbrook Spencer Academy on Wigman Road in Nottingham, bringing early learning into a primary school setting.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 2 and 3 November 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides the nursery’s Foundations for Phonics approach, alongside Phase 1 of Letters and Sounds. The daily emphasis is oral blending, stories and rhymes. Children practise combining sounds they hear into words, while conversation develops the language they need for reading. The starting point is listening and speaking.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning objectives include recognising familiar signs and a child’s own name, singing familiar songs and talking about memorable experiences. These connect early literacy with things children already recognise, giving adults opportunities to develop vocabulary through everyday discussion.

In November 2022, children in early years benefited from adults talking with them and reading stories aloud. Spoken language therefore has a concrete place in the learning experience, alongside the nursery’s daily work with sounds.

For a child with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), support follows a cycle of assessment, planning, action and review. The school’s SEN coordinator, teaching staff and families communicate about that support. Targets called Steps to Success give the work a specific focus, rather than leaving a child’s needs as a general concern.

Parents of children receiving SEND support are involved in termly reviews. They can also access their child’s provision map online and add comments, providing another way to contribute between discussions. If concerns arise, the class teacher is the first contact; the SEND team can then help consider further support.

School accessibility features include a lift and an accessible toilet. These are useful practical details for families considering physical access. For children with specific medical conditions, individual Health Care Plans are reviewed annually, or sooner if further issues arise.

The safeguarding team includes the principal and Senior Pastoral Lead, with every team member trained to designated safeguarding lead standard. Families can reach the team through the school office. This gives parents a clear contact route for welfare concerns.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions route. Applications for Reception go through Nottingham City Admissions; nursery applications go directly to Glenbrook.

For the September 2026 Reception intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026. That was a past admissions cycle.

Transition support is a separate matter from getting a place. For children with SEND moving between classes, relevant information is passed to the new teacher, and additional transition help can be arranged according to individual needs. This supports continuity of care rather than conferring an admissions advantage.

Nursery enquiries and applications go directly to the school at info@glenbrookspencer.org.uk, or through the office on 0115 915 5717.

Once a child attends, parents can contact the class teacher through Class Dojo. Office staff can arrange a telephone appointment or meeting, giving families another route for a discussion that needs more time.