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Nursery at Portland Spencer Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Sunflower growing, fruit kebabs and stories give Portland Spencer’s nursery learning a practical flavour. This provision for three- and four-year-olds belongs to Portland Spencer Academy on Westwick Road in Bilborough, Nottingham. Children can start in the term following their third birthday.
At the Ofsted inspection on 22 and 23 November 2023, early years provision was judged Outstanding within the school inspection. The nursery’s character comes through in the findings: adults adapted learning around children’s interests, while children became familiar with routines promptly.
Short teaching sessions happen daily alongside learning supported by adults. The Connected Curriculum links themes together, giving children different ways to explore an idea. Within the early years foundation stage (EYFS), this means developing language, movement and relationships alongside early reading, number work and understanding the world.
Reading starts with songs, rhymes and objects. These give children something to hear, repeat and talk about as they build the foundations for reading. Nursery mathematics includes counting through rhymes, exploring shape and using words for position and quantity. The emphasis is on making ideas tangible.
The 2025/26 early years activities show how this works in practice. Children were set tasks involving a boat that could carry a boy and penguin while floating, and a moving vehicle made with Mobilo. Investigating waterproof materials connects a story with a real problem to solve. Another theme paired sunflower growing with comparisons between seeds grown in different conditions; fruit kebab making brought food choices into the same learning.
Outdoor learning has a physical connection to the classroom: each classroom has access to its own outdoor learning area. Forest School activities include finding trees and flowers, turning the grounds into somewhere to observe living things. Indoors, construction materials include Duplo, blocks and Lego, while painting and modelling provide other ways to represent ideas. Children can build, investigate and explain, rather than encounter a topic only through talk.
Getting to know children begins as they start. In November 2023, nursery children adapted quickly to the daily routines, and early years children learned appropriate behaviour promptly. Learning was shaped around their interests, giving adults a practical way to connect teaching with each child.
SCARF supports the personal and social side of EYFS learning. Its themes include relationships, difference and personal safety: useful starting points for learning to play alongside others and understand feelings. Parents can contact the class teacher through Class Dojo, and the office can organise a meeting or telephone appointment. SEND enquiries have a dedicated email route, SENDCO@portlandspencer.org.uk.
Food needs can be raised when applying, with space for dietary and medical information. At school level, gluten-free, egg-free and dairy-free lunch menus provide distinct options for discussion. This makes dietary requirements part of the conversation from the start. The safeguarding team has designated safeguarding lead training, and concerns outside school opening hours can be emailed to safeguarding@portlandspencer.org.uk.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Nottingham City Admissions. Nursery applications go directly to the school, so the two processes need separate attention.
For the September 2026 Reception intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle is past. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.
Session pattern. Morning places run from 8:45am to 11:45am, Monday to Friday; afternoon places run from 12:15pm to 3:15pm on the same days. For 15-hour places, families choose the weekday morning or afternoon pattern and cannot mix sessions. That fixed arrangement matters when planning childcare around work.
From the term following a child’s third birthday, the entitlement is 15 hours of funded care and education each week during school terms. Eligible children can also take a 30-hour place.
Complete the nursery application and return it to the school office. For enquiries, email info@portlandspencer.org.uk or telephone 0115 9155747. The nursery application asks for a preferred session, but the school cannot always meet that preference.
The nursery offers places for three- and four-year-olds. Children can join in the term after their third birthday.
Morning sessions run Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 11:45am. Afternoon sessions run Monday to Friday, 12:15pm to 3:15pm. For 15-hour places, families choose mornings or afternoons and cannot mix sessions. Eligible children can also take 30-hour places; confirm their attendance arrangements with the school.
There is a 15-hour weekly entitlement during school terms from the term after a child’s third birthday. The nursery also offers 30-hour places for eligible children.
No. A separate Reception application is required through Nottingham City Admissions.
Parents can speak to the class teacher or use Class Dojo. The school office can arrange a telephone appointment or meeting; general enquiries can go to info@portlandspencer.org.uk.
