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Nursery at Springbank 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A dedicated Seedlings Room for two-year-olds gives Springbank’s nursery provision a distinct starting point before its age-three-plus nursery. Based at Springbank Academy in Eastwood, the provision brings younger children into the school setting while keeping a space specifically for its youngest learners.
Springbank Seedlings has opened as part of the Best Start school-based nursery programme. Its room includes resources for play and cosy corners for imagination, giving two-year-olds their own learning space. The nursery aims to help children grow in independence and confidence, with curiosity driving their exploration.
Listening and conversation have a clear place in the nursery curriculum. Children investigate environmental sounds, pick out sounds within their own names and begin learning individual letter sounds. These are concrete first steps towards understanding how spoken words work, rather than simply practising letters on paper.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning with children’s developing communication, independence and social skills. In November 2023, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good. Children learned successfully throughout the curriculum, with adults’ questions helping them think further and conversation supporting language development. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision.
Topics give the nursery learning recognisable starting points. Into The Woods, Down On The Farm and Minibeasts and Growing introduce woodland, farm and growing themes. Learning takes place outside as well as indoors. In November 2023, emotional and social development received attention in both spaces, while adult support helped children do more for themselves. For parents, the emphasis is on learning to communicate and manage increasingly independently alongside curriculum learning.
Settling was a strength of the early years provision in November 2023: children became comfortable quickly. The staffing structure includes a nursery teacher, while Seedlings has a room lead and practitioner. Those are distinct roles serving the different nursery age groups.
For children with identified SEND, Springbank aims to speak with families and involved agencies before the child starts, so specialist arrangements can be prepared. Families are offered a Termly Learning Conference to discuss progress and next steps, with the SENCO involved where required. More frequent contact can be arranged according to a child’s needs. Wheelchair access, accessible changing and toilet facilities provide practical support for children who need them.
Nursery children can have a school meal, which is charged. Springbank also runs a Supervised Toothbrushing Programme, connecting care with an everyday health routine.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer priority. Reception requires a separate application through the family’s home local authority; Nottinghamshire residents apply through Nottinghamshire County Council. Families must follow the deadline for their child’s Reception intake, keeping this application separate from their nursery arrangements.
Transition support is a different matter from admission. For children with SEND, Springbank aims to share information and plan additional familiarisation visits where needed. A teacher supports transition with help from a teaching assistant. This can help a child become familiar with a new setting and staff, but does not change how a Reception place is allocated.
For the age-three-plus nursery, morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am and afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The 30-hour childcare option runs from 8:30am to 3:30pm, with an additional charge for lunchtime provision. Ask the school for current charges. Morning collection opens at 11:30am; afternoon collection doors open at 3:20pm.
The 15-hour funded entitlement begins in the term after a child’s third birthday and operates during term time, over 38 weeks. Eligible working families can access up to 30 funded hours each week. For a nursery visit or application form, email nursery.admin@springbank.academy. These nursery session times should not be assumed to apply to Seedlings.
Springbank Seedlings serves children aged two, alongside the nursery for children aged three and above.
The age-three-plus nursery offers mornings from 8:30am to 11:30am, afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm and a 30-hour childcare option from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Lunchtime provision carries an extra charge.
No. Nursery attendance neither guarantees a place nor confers priority. Apply separately through your home local authority for Reception.
The age-three-plus nursery offers 15 funded hours per week over 38 weeks, starting in the term after the third birthday. Eligible working families can access up to 30 funded hours per week.
Email nursery.admin@springbank.academy to arrange a visit or request an application form.
