Westglade Primary School Nursery Review

A mud kitchen, large-scale construction and books that shape the learning give Westglade's Bees nursery its character. This is the school's F1 provision in Top Valley, Nottingham, with children joining from the term after their third birthday. It belongs to the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with a book-based approach and space for children to follow their interests.

The emphasis is on doing things for themselves. Choosing activities, experimenting with materials and practising everyday tasks sit alongside short teaching groups, giving the day a mixture of exploration and adult guidance.

Continuous provision means children can choose from learning activities, while adults add resources and join their play to extend it. Indoors, painting and play dough sit alongside block building, pretend domestic play and opportunities to make marks. Small groups bring children together for maths teaching and to explore the key book. The EYFS framework guides this combination of play, language and early learning; Development Matters and Birth to 5 also inform the provision.

Listening comes first in phonics. Children begin with Phase 1 activities that develop attention, then move towards Read, Write Inc., learning sounds and how to blend them. Books also introduce vocabulary and accompanying Makaton signs, giving children different ways to engage with language.

Outside, the mud kitchen is joined by sand and water play, climbing and a large construction area. Dressing up and making marks on a bigger scale extend the indoor choices. Expect messy clothes. These are spaces for physical exploration as well as talking, imagining and making.

Music adds another way to participate: EYFS children have untuned instruments, places to perform and daily singing opportunities. Musical interaction sessions include movement and listening, so children can explore sound together or individually.

Ofsted's April 2025 findings linked a positive start in Nursery and Reception with calm learning spaces. Language practice ran through pretend everyday situations and story enactment, with staff usually encouraging full sentences. Sorting objects into patterns and dancing with ribbons added mathematical and physical exploration.

Class Dojo connects nursery learning with home. Parents receive pictures and class updates, and can message the teacher through the app. Support staff also work in the nursery classroom. The collection arrangements leave time for conversations with families, making brief exchanges part of the daily routine.

Milk and fruit are provided for nursery children, with dairy-free alternatives available. Lunch can be a school meal or a healthy packed lunch. Children qualifying for Pupil Premium funding receive their school meal free; otherwise meals are charged. Families should tell staff about allergies and changes to dietary needs.

Communication support. The April 2025 inspection identified insufficient staff expertise for some pupils with SEND at the earliest stages of communication, leaving them without the targeted help needed for language and interaction. For a child with these needs, discuss the planned support with the SENCo, who can be contacted through the office or by email at senco@westglade.nottingham.sch.uk.

Attending Westglade's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Nottingham City Council's online admissions process, meeting the normal Reception application deadline. Choosing Bees therefore needs to be a decision about the nursery experience itself.

Everyday independence is part of preparation for the next stage: children practise toileting, managing coats and zips, and asking friends for help. These practical skills help children take more responsibility for themselves. They are separate from the allocation of school places.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0115 9157515. Children can join in September, January or after the Easter holiday, once eligible by age.

The nursery door opens at 8:30am and closes at 8:50am. Later arrivals use the side gate and office buzzer. The collection gate opens at 3pm, allowing families with older children time to speak to nursery staff.

Magic Breakfast provides a free breakfast club that includes Early Years children. It starts promptly at 8am, with booking through Arbor. Staff collect children at the Bakewell Drive main gate and accompany them to the dining hall.

Navy is the nursery uniform colour; a branded jumper is optional. Send named spare clothes, a drinks bottle and clothing suited to outdoor play. Wellies are useful too. Ask the office for current meal charges; school meals are paid for in advance, with Arbor available for payments.