North Wheatley Church of England Primary School Nursery

In February 2025, café play became early writing at North Wheatley: children put their sound knowledge to work on food names, giving literacy a purpose within their play. That offers a useful picture of early years at that inspection, where independence, conversation and curiosity developed together.

Foundation Stage 1 is the school's nursery provision, within North Wheatley Church of England Primary School in South Wheatley. Diamond Class brings together FS1 and FS2. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 25 and 26 February 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning with children's growing ability to do things independently and interact with others. In February 2025, children made purposeful use of their surroundings, developing social confidence alongside curiosity. The learning environment gave them opportunities to put developing skills into practice.

Café play provided a concrete example at that inspection. Children used the sounds they knew to write food names, including sushi and spaghetti, during their own activities. Writing therefore had a job to do in the game. For parents, the significant point is the connection between early reading skills and children's chosen play, rather than treating literacy as a separate exercise.

Language receives attention throughout these experiences. In February 2025, staff took opportunities across children's activities to extend their language. Conversation supports the play as well as the learning: children can practise expressing ideas while developing the skills they will need for their next educational stage.

Support for additional needs sits within the school's wider SEND arrangements. The team includes a SENDCo and a lead SEND teaching assistant. The school prioritises cooperation with families when children encounter difficulties, giving parents a route into discussions about support.

Across the school, Zones of Regulation helps children recognise feelings and practise managing their responses. Adults make a connection with a child before suggesting ways to correct behaviour. This gives families a specific approach to discuss when considering how emotional support will work for their child.

Behaviour across the school. In February 2025, expectations were applied inconsistently, costing learning time and leaving some pupils concerned about others' conduct during social periods. This was a school-wide concern, rather than a nursery-specific finding, but matters when considering the wider setting.

Parents with a safeguarding concern can telephone the school and ask for a Designated Safeguarding Lead, or use safeguarding@northwheatley.notts.sch.uk.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. The route is Nottinghamshire County Council's school admissions service. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two distinct decisions.

The school office arranges visits for families interested in Foundation Stage 1. Call 01427 880409 to book. A visit offers the opportunity to understand the school's aims and ethos before choosing the nursery. The school is on Sturton Road, South Wheatley, Retford, DN22 9DH.