Clarborough Primary School Nursery

Play indoors and outdoors gives Clarborough’s nursery its character, with children aged 3 to 4 learning in a purpose built Foundation Unit. This is the nursery provision within Clarborough Primary School, on Hillview Crescent in Clarborough, Retford. The emphasis is on developing early skills through play.

The nursery teacher also holds the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) lead role. The team includes a teacher working across Nursery and FS2, alongside teaching assistants with EYFS responsibilities. That connects nursery teaching with the school’s wider early years team.

The EYFS brings together learning about language, movement, relationships and emotions with early literacy, mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world. At Clarborough, play takes place both outside and inside, giving children different settings in which to develop these skills. Development Matters also informs teaching in the Foundation Unit; it sits alongside the EYFS framework as guidance for children’s development.

Listening has a practical purpose here. During the inspection on 11 and 12 January 2022, Ofsted identified nursery whispering games that helped children distinguish sounds, preparing them for later phonics learning. It is a small, concrete example of play serving a learning goal. At that time, children from Nursery onwards also showed concentration, cooperation and enthusiasm during lessons, helping them participate in learning alongside others.

Parents contribute to the starting picture of their child through the My unique child booklet and drop in sessions during the nursery year. Entry assessments also draw on information from earlier settings where appropriate. Together, these give staff a starting point for understanding a child’s skills and give families a way to share their own knowledge.

If a child needs additional help, the class teacher discusses support with parents and the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. For children identified with SEND, an Individual Support Plan sets specific targets, with discussions involving parents each term. Adjustments and interventions are based on the child’s needs. Families concerned about development begin with the class teacher; more complex needs can lead to a meeting with the co-ordinator.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Clarborough Primary School. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the applicable deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two separate decisions: a child’s nursery place does not secure their next school place.

Nursery registration is at 9am, while the school finishes at 3:30pm. Wrap Around Care is available for nursery children from Monday to Thursday until 5:30pm and requires advance booking. Those four afternoons can help with collection arrangements, but families should plan around the stated days.

Visits to the Foundation Unit can be arranged by appointment through the school office on 01777 708065. This gives parents an opportunity to see the learning spaces before choosing the nursery.