St Ann's Well Academy Nursery

The City Farm, a community orchard and St Ann’s Valley centre library give this nursery a character rooted in its neighbourhood. Visits throughout the year extend children’s experiences beyond the classroom, while an outdoor playground gives them space to explore closer to home.

St Ann’s Well Academy’s nursery caters for children aged 3 and 4, with entry from the term after their third birthday. Stars and Sunshines are the nursery groups. This is the school’s own early years provision on Hungerhill Road in Nottingham, with learning centred on play, communication and relationships.

Play provides the starting point for learning. Children use classrooms and the outdoor environment, with structured activities alongside opportunities to investigate the natural world. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives that learning a developmental focus: building language, developing movement and helping children understand feelings and relationships. These are practical foundations for participating in a group and expressing what they need.

Creative work combines adult guidance with children’s own choices. In the Foundation Stage, small groups learn art skills through demonstrations, then explore materials independently. Colour, texture and making marks give children ways to communicate ideas while practising control of tools. Designing activities also involve joining materials and choosing resources for a purpose, so making something involves decisions as well as experimentation.

Music has a named approach: nursery children participate in Sing-Up. Songs form part of topic learning, including counting songs and music from different cultures. Physical learning uses REAL PE alongside outdoor activities and early sporting skills, with movement, balance, ball skills and working together among the aims.

In June 2024, Ofsted found that early years learning spaces had a clear organisation, with purposeful play and an emphasis on developing children’s speech and communication. Children explored their surroundings and practised taking planned risks. That gives families a concrete picture of learning through activity rather than a day built solely around adult instruction.

Relationships are part of the learning itself. Foundation Stage activities help children understand emotions, build connections with adults and other children, and begin managing their behaviour. In June 2024, relationships between early years children and staff were positive and affectionate.

Parents can message teaching staff through ClassDojo. For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school’s support process starts with discussion involving parents and the class teacher. With parental permission, outside specialists may contribute advice or assessment. The SEND coordinator supports planning and maintains contact with families, giving parents a route into decisions about their child’s support.

Food includes a school-wide provision of a free toasted bagel for all pupils at morning registration, supported by Magic Breakfast.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at St Ann’s Well Academy. Families must make a separate application through Nottingham City Council using the normal admissions route. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for school as separate decisions.

Joint activities with foundation year children help nursery children become familiar with the next stage. Those links support transition; they do not replace the Reception application.

Sessions run during term time only. Morning attendance is from 8:45am to 11:15am; the afternoon runs from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. The different finishing times matter when arranging collection and other childcare.

The nursery offers 15 and 30 hour funded places for children aged 3 and 4. Eligibility should be checked when selecting the funded arrangement.

To register interest, call 0115 915 5808. The school manages nursery admissions, adds children to its waiting list and contacts families when a place becomes free. Visits can be arranged through the nursery enquiry form or by telephone, allowing parents to meet the teaching team and see activities before choosing a place.