William Lilley Nursery Review

Busy Bees combines play supported by adults with close attention to each child's next steps. This is the nursery provision at William Lilley Infant and Nursery School in Stapleford, where the school site includes a nursery building as well as outdoor learning spaces. Its place within an infant school gives the provision a school setting, while nursery learning remains centred on children's play and development.

Play is the starting point. Throughout nursery sessions, staff work alongside children as they play, using observations and small-group work to shape subsequent learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning here takes shape through children's play and group activities, with Phase 1 sound work forming part of nursery learning. Staff follow children's development when deciding what to work on next. Learning is adjusted to the child rather than organised solely around an activity.

The nursery team reviews progress weekly, considering one learning area at a time and changing plans accordingly. Initial assessments take place during a child's first half term. Further progress discussions in the autumn and February help staff review targets, with information brought together again at the year's end. This creates regular opportunities to reconsider what a child needs next.

Early sound work focuses on Phase 1. In September 2022, early-years children enjoyed songs, rhymes and stories, with adults concentrating on communication and language. For early-years children, familiar routines made it easier to tackle everyday tasks independently. Staff planned gradual progress towards half-term learning goals in classrooms inspectors found calm and organised. Those details matter for children learning both how to express themselves and how to manage familiar tasks.

In September 2022, children in the early years were happy and settled, and staff understood their differing needs. That gives a dated picture of children's experience rather than a separate nursery grade.

Parents receive assessment information through meetings, parents' evenings and continuing conversations. For SEND enquiries, families can contact the school office and ask for the SENDCo. Across the school, individual education plans or provision maps are used according to the level of support, with termly reviews. This provides a structure for discussing needs and revisiting support as children develop.

Food is part of the optional wraparound provision. Wide Awake serves breakfast including fruit, cereal and toast; Mini Explorers provides a light snack. The after-school club accommodates dietary requirements and keeps drinking water accessible, so care extends beyond activities alone.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application for Reception through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing Busy Bees and securing a Reception place as separate decisions.

Wide Awake starts at 7:30am and Mini Explorers runs until 6:00pm. Both accept nursery pupils and operate on weekdays in term time, excluding INSET days. Breakfast club staff take children to class, while after-school staff collect them from classrooms.

Wraparound sessions are booked through SchoolMoney in advance for the following half term. Parents can amend bookings through their account. Nursery funded entitlement of 15 or 30 hours cannot pay for these clubs; contact the school for current charges. Individual tours can be arranged by calling 0115 9179277 or using the school contact form.