Highgate Primary Academy Nursery Review

Short sessions and the beginnings of reading shape the nursery at Highgate Primary Academy in Goldthorpe. Children join in the term after turning three, with morning and afternoon sessions providing two separate patterns for the nursery day. This is the school's own early years provision, on Nicholas Lane, rather than a separate childcare setting.

Listening comes before reading letters. In October 2022, Ofsted found that nursery children learned to distinguish surrounding sounds and hear sounds within words, giving them useful preparation for their next stage of learning. The emphasis is on hearing carefully first.

Within the early years foundation stage (EYFS), children also build the language to explain their understanding. In October 2022, early years teaching introduced concepts such as the past alongside the vocabulary children needed to discuss them. That connects learning an idea with being able to talk about it.

Read Write Inc is the school's reading programme, starting in Foundation Stage. Its approach links sounds with letters and uses Fred Talk to help children sound out words. A daily class story gives children opportunities to listen, ask questions and enjoy a book together. Weekly library visits add choice: children can select a book and take another home. These routines give families something concrete to share beyond the session.

The FS1 teacher also holds the Early Years Safeguarding Lead role. At school level, an inclusion team includes a SEND co-ordinator and a family liaison role, giving families routes for discussing additional needs and wider support. The family support team helps with daily routines, attendance and access to other services.

Parent meetings take place each term. The autumn conversation covers settling and learning targets; later meetings review progress. Nursery children also receive a written report at the end of the year. This creates regular opportunities to discuss how a child is adjusting and developing, rather than relying only on brief exchanges.

Free milk is provided for children younger than five. Families should send a bottle filled with water each day, and the school prohibits foods containing nuts on site. Those are practical details to build into the nursery routine.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority in the allocation of places. Families must make a separate application through Barnsley Local Authority, using its common application form and the normal admissions timetable.

Learning sounds in nursery is preparation for later reading. It is an educational connection, not an admissions advantage. Families choosing Highgate's nursery should keep the next application separate from their childcare decision.

The morning session runs from 8:45am to 11:45am; the afternoon runs from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Each provides a three-hour block, so families need to plan collection around their child's session rather than the wider school day. Late arrivals should register at the school's main reception.

Nursery applications go through Barnsley Local Authority. For enquiries, contact the school office on 01709 892160 or email info@astreahighgate.org. Families can arrange a look around with a senior leader, providing an opportunity to see the nursery within its school setting.