Marlborough Primary Academy Nursery Review

Tools, textures and learning how things work give Marlborough’s early years curriculum a practical thread. The school’s EYFS curriculum expectations include exploring materials, explaining creations and developing control of everyday equipment. These are small steps with a clear purpose: becoming more independent and communicating ideas.

The nursery belongs to Marlborough Primary Academy in Morice Square, Devonport, Plymouth. At the school’s inspection on 1 and 3 November 2023, Ofsted graded early years provision Good. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision; it is not a separate nursery inspection outcome.

The school’s EYFS curriculum expectations bring together practical skills and conversation. Design and technology expectations include explaining what children are making, responding to instructions and listening to other people’s ideas. Talking through a task gives children practice in expressing what they want to achieve, alongside the physical business of making it.

Materials provide another strand. Early years expectations include exploring textures and changing materials to produce an intended effect. The curriculum also expects increasing control when handling tools and construction materials. The emphasis is on both the process and children’s satisfaction in achieving their own goals, rather than simply producing a finished object.

Food preparation gives those expectations an everyday application. The school’s early years skills expectations include stirring ingredients, transferring them with a spoon and counting ingredients. These tasks connect hand control with everyday independence.

Early years technology expectations include cause and effect: making a toy respond through a button or flap, and choosing equipment for a purpose. Online safety expectations include recognising that something on a screen can feel frightening or upsetting. This gives the digital strand a care dimension as well as a practical one.

For additional learning needs, the school aims to work with parents to support their child. The special educational needs coordinator can be reached through the main office. That provides a direct contact for families discussing support, rather than leaving them to work out whom to approach.

School meals are supplied by CaterEd and prepared on the premises. Children bringing packed lunches eat in the school hall. These are school catering arrangements, distinct from an assurance about a particular nursery session’s meal provision.

The school aims to recognise vulnerable children and those at risk, and act to protect them. It also aims to develop a systematic process for identifying suspected abuse and making referrals to an appropriate agency.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for school as two separate decisions.

Plymouth City Council handles Reception allocation information within the Nursery to Reception Transition Portal. The portal supports the transfer of children’s information when they start school. Information sharing supports transition; it does not itself allocate a place or create an admissions advantage.

Enquiries go to the school office on 01752 567681 or Reception@marlboroughacademy.org. Families can also use the contact form. The school welcomes requests through the office to view it in action, giving parents a practical way to begin their enquiry.

For current charges, contact the school. Families discussing additional learning support can use the same office telephone number to reach the special educational needs coordinator.