Brinsworth Howarth Primary School Nursery

Bumblebees combines a morning nursery session with early work on sounds and numbers. This is Foundation Stage 1 (F1), the nursery provision at Brinsworth Howarth Primary School on Whitehill Lane in Brinsworth, Rotherham. Children join in the September after their third birthday, and the nursery admission number is 15. The September starting point gives families a clear intake pattern to plan around.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives learning several strands. In Bumblebees, these include physical development, communication, emotional and social development, literacy and mathematics. Understanding the world and expressive arts complete the picture. For parents, that means the nursery curriculum extends beyond early reading and number work to how children communicate, develop physically and express themselves.

Sound awareness comes before the formal Sounds-Write programme. F1 children develop their awareness of speech sounds and begin blending and segmenting: putting sounds together and separating them out. They also work on being ready to learn. These are preparatory steps, giving the nursery its own role in the sequence of learning.

Maths Meetings begin in Foundation Stage 1 as part of Maths Mastery. The school describes them as regular opportunities to practise knowledge and skills beyond the main maths lesson. Repeated practice is the purpose. In May 2024, Ofsted identified an early years environment centred on numbers, with adults developing mathematical language and children learning correct numeral formation.

Books have a physical place in the classroom too. Each classroom has a reading area with books by different authors and across different genres, giving reading its own space alongside the other strands of learning.

Preparation starts before the nursery year. Staff contact families at the beginning of the preceding summer term about their child's place, a welcome meeting and transition dates. That gives parents planned contact before the September start.

For concerns about learning or emotional development, the class teacher is the first contact. The school's SEND approach uses a cycle of assessment, planning, action and review, becoming more individual as staff understand a child's needs. Teachers contact parents when they believe an intervention would help. Support may involve the Speech and Language Team, Fusion SEND Hub or the Education Psychology Service, so classroom support can draw on specialist advice.

The school says it keeps parents informed about progress and development, discusses concerns promptly and welcomes appointments to talk them through. This makes communication part of supporting the child, rather than just an administrative exchange.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Children and Young People's Services, following the normal application process and deadline. Treat that application as a separate task from securing the nursery place.

The part-time F1 session runs from 8:40 to 11:40. Registration is at 8:40, so the start time matters for punctuality as well as childcare planning.

For nursery enquiries, contact school@howarth.jmat.org.uk or telephone 01709 828613. Families can arrange a school-hours tour before completing an application. Nursery application forms can be collected from school or posted home; a birth certificate must be produced when the form is returned.

Uniform is strongly encouraged. It includes black or grey trousers or skirts, a white or jade green polo shirt, and a jade sweatshirt or cardigan. Name clothing and footwear, and choose a modestly sized bag: the cloakrooms have limited space.