Old Basford School Nursery Review

A nursery building beside the next stage of school, with a large outdoor learning area shared between them: that is the defining feature of Old Basford’s Foundation Unit. Nursery is known as F1 and has provision for 80 children, divided into 40 morning and 40 afternoon places. It sits within Old Basford School on Percy Street in Nottingham.

For the 2025-26 admissions cycle, children could start in the term following their third birthday. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 6 and 7 December 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Adult guidance and independent learning both have a place here. In December 2023, early years children took part in planned sessions led by adults alongside opportunities to learn independently. The balance gives children time with a teaching focus and time to pursue learning for themselves.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework. In practical terms, the early years curriculum connects learning with children’s exploration of materials, technology and the world around them. Art links making things with the development of fine motor skills, giving creative activity a physical purpose too. Beebots and iPads are examples of technology used in early years teaching and activities children can access independently.

Outdoors, learning extends beyond exercise. Early years geography includes noticing seasonal changes, considering care for the environment and drawing treasure maps. An outdoor world map supports activities recreating famous landmarks. These are concrete ways to connect a child’s immediate surroundings with places further away.

The school also aims to develop creative habits through its work with Creativity Collaboratives: curiosity, imagination, persistence, discipline and collaboration. For parents, the useful connection is between that ambition and opportunities to investigate, make and work alongside others.

Home and school have scheduled opportunities to talk. Pupil review meetings take place twice a year, allowing parents to discuss progress or concerns with their child’s class teacher. The school encourages children to join the conversation. The office team handles enquiries and can arrange contact with the special educational needs coordinator.

Food brought into school must follow its nut restrictions because some pupils have severe allergies. Parents are also asked to avoid chocolate spread sandwiches and check chocolate snacks for possible nut contamination. This is a practical consideration when preparing food for a child’s day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process, administered by Nottingham City Council, and meet the deadline for their application cycle.

Physical continuity is a separate matter. The nursery and Reception buildings are adjacent, and their children share the large outdoor learning area. That gives the two stages a shared space; it should not be treated as an admissions advantage.

Morning nursery runs from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoon nursery runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Each pattern covers 15 hours a week. An all-day pattern runs from 8.30am to 3.30pm and covers 35 hours a week. Those different finishing times matter when arranging collection and family working hours.

In the 2025-26 admissions cycle, younger N1 entrants were allocated afternoon places before moving to mornings the following September; N2 places were in the morning. That cycle also offered eligible N2 families 30-hour funded places across five days. The 30-hour funding arrangement and the 35-hour all-day timetable are different figures and should not be treated as interchangeable.

To join the nursery waiting list, complete the online nursery application or collect a form from the school office. Enquiries can go to 0115 9785505 or admin@oldbasford.nottingham.sch.uk.