Wellow House School Nursery Review

Weekly swimming in an onsite pool gives Wellow House’s nursery day a distinctive shape. PE, Music and Outdoor Learning also bring specialist teaching into the Pre-School curriculum, alongside play and early work with sounds and numbers. There is plenty of movement in the week.

Nursery sits within the school’s Pre-Prep department in Wellow, Nottinghamshire, with provision starting from age two. The Pre-Prep building has its own smaller playground, including bikes, toys and a sandpit. That gives younger children a space for outdoor play within the wider school setting.

Phonics and Numeracy feature each morning, followed by opportunities for children to choose activities indoors and outside. Adult-guided activities sit alongside children’s own choices, so the day combines a recognisable routine with time to follow an interest. Weekly swimming uses the school’s pool and a specialist coach; PE sessions work on movement, balance and coordination.

The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum covers seven areas. In parent terms, that means learning to communicate, manage feelings and relationships, move confidently, explore the world, create, and develop early literacy and mathematical understanding. Learning is shaped around each child’s interests and ability rather than expecting everyone to work at the same pace.

Practical exploration has included watching caterpillars become butterflies and releasing them in May 2024. In June 2024, Pre-School children used Colour Monsters to discuss emotions. These examples connect knowledge about living things and feelings with experiences children can talk about.

In October 2023, early-years children developed knowledge and skills across the curriculum, with staff using assessment to adjust challenge and support. Adults’ conversations with children helped build their confidence in speaking. These are dated findings about early years, rather than a nursery grade.

Each child has an assigned keyworker, with teaching adapted to their interests and ability. Foundation Stage 1 children can attend part time and increase attendance as they mature, allowing the length of their nursery week to grow gradually.

Food punctuates the day. The morning snack includes vegetables or fruit, cheese and crackers, with water and milk; children staying beyond the morning session have lunch, followed by another snack in the afternoon. Wellow Bistro provides home-cooked lunches, and teachers eat with children, making mealtimes an opportunity to practise social skills. Vegetarian and vegan diets and allergies are catered for.

Staffing and safeguarding deserve a dated account. In October 2023, safeguarding failures included inadequate responses to concerns about adults and incomplete staff checks and records. June 2024 monitoring found safeguarding requirements met, and February 2025 also found the safeguarding standards considered met. In October 2023, leaders had failed to ensure that early-years staff held the minimum qualifications required. By June 2024, qualifications were evidenced and sessions met the required staffing ratios. That monitoring visit nevertheless identified failures in health and safety, risk assessment and premises maintenance, including requirements applying to early years. In February 2025, the standards considered in those areas were met. For the proposed admission of two-year-olds, June 2025 findings confirmed suitable staff qualifications and experience, alongside plans for their learning and welfare needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Confirm Reception application requirements and deadlines with the admissions team.

Children staying for lunch already spend lunchtime and playtime with the Reception class. This provides contact with older early-years children during an ordinary nursery day. Familiarity is useful preparation; it is separate from entitlement to a place.

The nursery operates for 35 weeks annually, with a main day of 8:50am to 3:30pm. Morning collection is at 12:15pm, and afternoon activities begin at 1:15pm. Breakfast Club runs from 8:00am to 8:30am; optional care after the nursery day continues until 6:00pm.

Owl Club uses Pre-Prep staff familiar to the children. Places depend on staffing ratios and are allocated in booking order. Families needing sessions for the next term request a booking form from the office; bookings nearer the day should be notified by 9am. Breakfast and after-school care carry additional charges: contact the school for current charges.

Funded spaces include 15- and 30-hour places for three- and four-year-olds and 30-hour places for two-year-olds, subject to eligibility and availability. Enquiries go to admissions@wellowhouseschool.co.uk or 01623 861054. Personal tours can be requested through a visit booking form.