Ordsall Primary School Nursery Review

Creative exploration and learning through play give Ordsall’s nursery its early-years character. This is the nursery within Ordsall Primary School on Ordsall Road in Retford, and it belongs to Phase 1 of the school’s organisation. Children’s first experiences here combine adult guidance with opportunities to try things for themselves.

The important qualification is educational. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Requires improvement at the inspection on 24 and 25 May 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings learning into play and guided activities. Art runs through its seven learning areas: children experiment, explore and take part in activities led by adults. This gives creative work a place within the wider day, rather than treating it solely as a separate subject.

Technology also starts through play. Children make simple digital material, explore technology and practise giving instructions and following them. Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design are the main learning areas used for this work. The practical emphasis gives children an introduction to what technology can do and how to use it safely.

Social learning includes taking turns, working together and making decisions together. These are the early-years elements of the school’s work on British Values, connecting everyday interactions with learning about fairness.

In May 2022, children returned to familiar stories, building recognition of language and repeated patterns. They enjoyed rainbow challenges and followed routines readily. However, independent tasks offered too little challenge, misunderstandings went unnoticed for too long, and learning lost pace. Adults were too slow to extend communication, language and social development during independent work. The improvement required was specific: adults needed the expertise to help children retain and build on the early-years curriculum. For parents, adult involvement during play is an important point to weigh alongside the activities themselves.

Relationships between children and adults were positive in May 2022. Familiar routines also helped children respond to the day’s expectations, providing a useful foundation for participation.

For additional needs, the school uses Individual Education Plans (IEPs), interventions adapted to the child and regular reviews. Parents, carers and external agencies work with the school on support. This gives families a process for discussing needs and reviewing how provision should respond. The SENCo and SEND Manager are the team roles to contact about support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Nottinghamshire County Council is the route for school admissions, with the school’s Attendance and Admissions Officer available to help families through the process. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Part-time morning children leave at 11:45am; afternoon children arrive at 12:15pm. The school’s finishing time is 3:15pm. These timings matter when planning collection and the rest of the family’s day.

Contact the office on 01777 702852 or email office@ordsallpri.notts.sch.uk for enquiries. The school also has a contact form. Across the school, Arbor supports messages between parents and staff, giving families another communication channel once their account is in use.