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Nursery at The Florence Nightingale 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
The nursery's Autumn 2, 2025 Starry Night theme brought together storytelling, small-world play and activities on the Jungle Gym. Cambridge is the nursery class at The Florence Nightingale Academy in Eastwood, on Chewton Street. It forms the F1 part of the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), for children aged 3-4.
Early years provision received a Good judgement at the Ofsted inspection on 28 and 29 March 2023. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
The EYFS brings together early learning and children's development. Here, the nursery's Autumn 2, 2025 theme, Starry Night, connected stories and songs with counting, seasonal observation and creative play. Books included Star in the Jar and Gruffalo’s Child. Children were encouraged to discuss characters and events, handle books carefully and begin retelling stories. These are practical foundations for understanding books, beyond simply listening to them.
Number work used objects, actions and finger rhymes to practise counting to 5. Dice patterns and numicon offered different ways of recognising numbers to 3. Talk about what happens before or later also linked learning to the session routine, giving children language for the order of their day.
Physical activity had concrete places and equipment: outdoor climbing areas, the Jungle Gym, scooters, bikes and cars. The 2025 activities paired balance and movement with smaller hand movements using tweezers, playdough and drawing materials. Small-world and role-play areas supported invented stories, while instruments gave children sounds to explore. This mixes opportunities to move, talk, make and imagine.
In March 2023, early years staff planned learning carefully and used activities that stimulated children's interest. Teaching from Nursery onwards also identified gaps in mathematical understanding and addressed them, helping staff respond to what children needed next.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the SENCO works with the EYFS teacher on early identification. Concerns can lead to observations and a record developed with parents, covering strengths, needs, interventions and next steps. Where SEN or medical needs are identified before joining, meetings with families and involved professionals are arranged before the child starts, so support can be prepared.
School catering is supplied by Aspens. The school office handles catering enquiries. For families discussing additional needs, parents' evenings and review meetings provide opportunities to discuss progress and provision.
Communication. In March 2023, some parents across the school wanted quicker responses to concerns and fuller information. This was a school-wide improvement point; families should agree how concerns about their child will be followed up.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority; Nottinghamshire residents apply through Nottinghamshire County Council. The closing date is 15th January. Nursery attendance gives no priority under the 2027/2028 admission arrangements, so choosing Cambridge should be a decision about the nursery experience itself.
Transition support is a separate matter. For pupils with higher SEND needs, the school uses gradual introductions to the next teacher and personal information books to help new staff understand them. These arrangements support familiarity, not admission entitlement.
Morning nursery runs from 8.45am to 11.30am, with gates opening at 8.40am. Afternoon nursery runs from 12.15pm to 3.15pm, with gates opening at 12.10pm. The 30 Hours childcare pattern runs from 8.30am to 3.15pm. Children admitted to nursery must attend the full 5 sessions each week, during term time.
Funded nursery education begins in the term after a child's 3rd birthday, with a maximum of 15 hours during term time. Some parents qualify for 30 hours. Certain early years provision can carry charges; contact the school for current charges.
Return a nursery application form to the office by hand or email office@theflorence.academy. Places are allocated termly, usually with notification in the preceding term. Visits can be arranged through the office on 01773 713452.
The F1 nursery provision is for children aged 3-4. Its class is called Cambridge.
Morning nursery is 8.45am to 11.30am and afternoon nursery is 12.15pm to 3.15pm. The 30 Hours childcare pattern is 8.30am to 3.15pm. Nursery attendance requires the full 5 sessions each week, term time only.
From the term after their 3rd birthday, children are eligible for a maximum of 15 funded nursery hours during term time. Some parents qualify for 30 hours.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place or confer priority under the 2027/2028 arrangements. Apply separately through your home local authority by 15th January.
Return the nursery application form to the school office by hand or email office@theflorence.academy. Contact the office on 01773 713452 to arrange a visit.
