Mellers Primary School Nursery Review

Learning begins with sounds and vocabulary at Mellers: curriculum planning starts in the nursery, giving these first school experiences a place in the wider sequence of learning. Called Foundation One, the nursery belongs to Mellers Primary School on Norton Street in Radford, Nottingham.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 29 and 30 November 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. For parents, it provides a dated assessment of the provision their child's nursery sits within.

Language has a clear role in the learning. In November 2022, curriculum planning began in Nursery and introduced vocabulary progressively, with new teaching building on earlier learning. The practical implication is continuity: nursery learning forms the beginning of a planned sequence rather than a collection of disconnected activities.

Little Wandle was being used in Foundation One in March 2023, when phonics sessions included children making sounds, supported by teachers and teaching assistants. This gives a concrete picture of early reading work: children begin by attending to sounds, with adults supporting that learning.

Outdoor learning also has a place. In November 2020, sessions took place weekly for all children at Mellers, exploring nature, managing risks and solving problems together. Those activities connect learning with cooperation and opportunities to make decisions.

Teaching consistency. In November 2022, phonics delivery varied between staff, and some reading books did not fit the sounds pupils had learned. Assessment beyond mathematics and phonics also needed development, beginning in Nursery. These concerns matter alongside the Good early years judgement: remembering learning and receiving consistent reading support were priorities for improvement.

Support sits within the wider school team. Mellers aims to give children an education that accommodates different levels of special educational need. A special needs coordinator provides a direct contact through senco@mellers.nottingham.sch.uk, giving families a route to discuss their child's needs.

Safeguarding involves every member of staff. Designated safeguarding leads meet weekly to consider priority cases, while the wider safeguarding team meets monthly and shares priorities with colleagues. For families, this establishes both an everyday responsibility across the team and regular opportunities for concerns to be considered together.

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. Nottingham City's admissions department manages admissions from Foundation Two onwards.

Treat that application as a separate task in your child's final nursery year. Familiarity with Mellers does not replace it.

Mellers is on Norton Street, Radford, Nottingham, NG7 3HJ. The school telephone number is 01159151796.

For the separate school admissions process, Nottingham City's admissions department can be reached on 0115 841 5568. Keep the school contact and the city admissions contact distinct when planning the move to Reception.