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Nursery at Ferham Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Story maps, action rhymes and books learnt by heart give Ferham’s nursery its character. This is school-attached provision for two-year-olds and children aged three and four, with younger children attending afternoons and older children attending mornings. The nursery forms part of Ferham Primary School’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in Rotherham.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 28 and 29 January 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Language, stories and familiar routines provide the clearest picture of what children experience here.
Books provide a thread through the learning. The Terrific Twelve are familiar stories that children revisit and learn by heart; Talk For Writing uses story maps to support retelling. Alongside these, the Super Six rhymes have accompanying actions, while Core Rhymes feature daily. Repetition gives children words and sequences they can practise, then use in their own storytelling.
Play combines activities chosen by children with those guided by adults. The EYFS brings together early reading and maths, communication, physical skills, social and emotional development, creativity and discovering the world. In practice, children paint, explore water and take part in messy activities, with outdoor play every day. Indoor and outdoor activities are planned around individual needs, so learning extends beyond a single group task.
In January 2025, early years children sustained their attention during sensory activities and role play. Adults supported language through small groups, questions and conversation, while visual signs and pictures assisted communication, including for children learning English. Daily routines also helped children practise managing their behaviour.
A nursery library gives families access to books to share at home. It connects the emphasis on stories during sessions with reading together beyond nursery.
Each child is allocated a key person on starting. This adult helps them settle, develops a relationship with them and contributes to their learning. The staffing structure includes a teacher and teaching assistants, giving families both a personal contact and a wider nursery team.
Class Dojo carries learning updates and private messages. Staff aim to send photographs during the initial settling period, and parents are invited to Stay and Play once children have settled. Workshops explain learning and ways to support it at home. These give parents several ways to stay involved.
Snack comes partway through either session: fruit with a choice of water or milk. Families should leave snacks at home. Children who are still using nappies or pull-ups bring supplies, alongside wipes and spare clothing. Prescribed medication requires parental permission through an office form.
For additional needs, the school’s SENDCo participates in pupil progress meetings. A designated safeguarding lead works with deputy leads, providing a school-wide structure for raising concerns.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Rotherham’s local authority school-place application route. Choosing this nursery should therefore be a decision about the nursery experience itself, with the Reception application treated as a separate step.
Two-year-olds who qualify for funding can take 15 hours from the term following their second birthday, through five afternoon sessions. From the term following their third birthday, children are eligible for 15 hours through five mornings. Intakes fall in September, January and April. Ferham cannot currently provide the 30-hour entitlement; eligible families can divide those hours between providers.
Afternoon sessions run from 12:15 to 15:15. Morning timings differ between 08:30 to 11:40 and 08:45 to 11:45; confirm the current schedule with the school. Collection takes place individually at the nursery gate, and staff must be told beforehand if another adult will collect.
Uniform is optional in nursery. Practical clothes suit the paint, water and outdoor activities; bring a weather-appropriate coat, book bag and spare clothes, with belongings labelled.
Attendance. In January 2025, school-wide absence remained a concern, with persistent absence affecting learning. Establishing regular nursery attendance helps children take part in its repeated routines and activities.
For enquiries, call 01709 740962 between 08:30 and 15:30. Joining the nursery waiting list involves bringing a birth certificate to school; funded two-year-old applicants also need their eligibility letter.
There is afternoon provision from age two, with morning sessions for children aged three and four.
Ferham currently offers 15 hours. Families eligible for 30 hours can split their entitlement between Ferham and another provider.
A key person supports each child’s settling and learning. Staff aim to share early photographs through Class Dojo, and Stay and Play sessions follow once children have settled.
Nursery uniform is optional. Children receive fruit and milk or water during their session, and families should not send snacks.
No. A separate application is required through Rotherham’s local authority school-place application route.
