Stanhope Primary and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Outdoor learning has room in the daily routine at Stanhope: early years children can use the outdoor provision throughout the day, rather than waiting for a scheduled break. That is a useful distinction for families choosing a first school experience.

The nursery belongs to Stanhope Primary and Nursery School on Keyworth Road in Gedling, Nottingham. Its Foundation 1 class is called Little Conkers. Children can start once they turn three, subject to space. The current school has no Ofsted graded rating yet.

Morning and afternoon sessions give families two different starting points for the day. The morning runs from 08:45 to 11:45; the afternoon starts at 12:15 and finishes at 14:45. The nursery's overall operating hours extend from 08:45 to 15:15, with a charge for the final 30 minutes.

Outdoor provision is part of the early years day, with access continuing beyond a fixed playtime slot. For parents, this makes outdoor learning a feature of the session itself. EYFS is the named curriculum context. The school also places emphasis on developing children's speaking and listening, linking those skills to later reading and writing.

Contact with the class teacher can be arranged through the office, either as an appointment or a return call. Parent consultations take place in autumn and spring, followed by a written report in summer. These give families regular points to discuss development and progress, alongside conversations requested during the year.

For children with additional needs, the school's SEND coordinator organises support. Parents of children on the SEND register are invited to review targets and help with the teacher three times a year. Specialist Inclusion Services can also be involved for needs such as autism or hearing and visual impairments. This gives families both a school contact and a route to specialist input.

Food planning includes school menus for dairy-free and egg-free diets, alongside general allergy menus. These are practical distinctions for families managing dietary needs. Safeguarding concerns can be raised with the designated safeguarding team; staff receive regular training and work with families and outside professionals.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through Nottinghamshire County Council in the autumn before their child is due to start full-time school, meeting the deadline for that application round. Applications can be made online, with a telephone route for families unable to use the online form.

For children with additional needs, the SEND coordinator supports transitions through information sharing and visits, including extra visits where needed. That support concerns the child's move between settings; it does not secure admission.

Stanhope offers 15-hour and 30-hour nursery session options, with a parent declaration used to claim funded hours. The final half-hour of the nursery day carries an additional charge. Contact the school for current charges and any extras applicable to the chosen arrangement.

Jesters provides on-site wraparound care for nursery children from 07:30 to 08:45 and from 15:15 to 17:45. For further details, contact the Jesters team directly on 07932 874360. This extends the childcare options around the nursery session.

Nursery applications give precedence to children with a sibling already attending the school, followed by application date. Once a start date is agreed, a reserved place is guaranteed for up to one week beyond it, so confirming promptly matters.

The school uniform combines grey or black bottoms, a red or white polo shirt and a red outer layer. Non-logo items in the school colours can be bought from supermarkets or high street shops. Nursery enquiries go to office@stanhope.notts.sch.uk; families can also book a visit.