St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Play, persistence and thinking for yourself give the nursery at St. Joseph's its character. The Foundation Stage curriculum moves from exploration to sustained effort, then to making connections between ideas. That gives families a clear picture of the learning emphasis: having a go matters alongside what a child knows.

Nursery provision starts at age three within this Catholic primary school on Babworth Road in Retford. It is part of the school's early years provision, rather than a separate setting.

Exploration has a purpose here. The Foundation Stage's autumn theme, Playing and Exploring, encourages children to investigate themselves and other people, make friends and attempt something unfamiliar. Spring's Active Learning theme turns attention towards concentration and persistence. By summer, Creating and thinking critically asks children to connect earlier learning with new ideas. These themes make the early years approach understandable for parents: children practise how to learn as well as learning particular things.

Mathematics combines children's own exploration with adult-led Maths Meetings. White Rose Maths supports the curriculum, while early years teaching uses flexible units and group work alongside play chosen by children. Number vocabulary, patterns, shape and measurement sit within that approach. The combination gives children opportunities to explore an idea themselves and then discuss it with an adult.

In February 2024, the early years curriculum was well planned, and children adapted promptly to school routines and behaved very well. Nursery children were absorbed in a pretend Chinese restaurant, taking customers' orders and discussing a menu of noodles and tomatoes. This was purposeful imaginative play, with conversation built into the activity. Across early years activities, adult conversations encouraged children to do more for themselves.

Teachers take responsibility for adapting the curriculum for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), supported by the special educational needs coordinator. This places responsibility for inclusion within classroom teaching, so support belongs alongside children's everyday learning.

Class Dojo carries daily information about classroom learning. For parents, that provides a connection between activities at school and conversations at home. The school's safeguarding procedures require concerns about possible abuse to be referred for further investigation, helping children at risk receive support.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families need to make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two decisions: familiarity with the school is not an offer of a school place.

The school office is the enquiry route, on 01777 702850 or at office@st-josephs.notts.sch.uk. The address is Babworth Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 7BP. Use these contact details for a nursery enquiry.