Rawmarsh Sandhill Primary School Nursery Review

Stories, paint and outdoor play give Rawmarsh Sandhill’s nursery its character. Known as FS1, it forms part of the school’s Foundation Stage Hub, with classroom areas for making, building and imaginative play. Nursery education caters for children aged three and four, giving families a school-based start before Reception.

Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 6 and 7 June 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play supplies much of the learning. The classroom includes a workshop, small-world resources, a construction area and space for role play, so children can explore ideas through making things and pretending. Outside time and messy activities are part of FS1’s day too. This is a practical introduction to learning, with opportunities to use both hands and imagination.

Every day, nursery children hear stories, sing and enjoy rhymes. Counting, spotting shapes and finding patterns sit alongside those language activities. The opening topic explores children’s families, homes and health; possible later themes include transport, the seaside and people who help us. Familiar experiences give children something concrete to talk about.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines physical development, communication and social skills with early mathematics, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. Adult-guided activities sit alongside children’s own choices, indoors and outside. Staff use each child’s small achievements to plan what comes next, allowing learning to develop at different speeds.

In June 2023, the early years curriculum included purposeful teaching of mathematical vocabulary and words describing position. Nursery children also learned safe scissor use. These details show how practical tasks build language and independence together.

Class Dojo connects home and nursery through learning photographs and information. Parents can contribute pictures of family experiences too, giving children material to share with their friends. Communication runs both ways.

Clear routines helped early years children develop self-control in June 2023. The Sandhill Way gives that work a shared language around responsibility and respect. One school-wide concern at that inspection was that some children beginning to read needed more precisely targeted teaching to catch up; this was not identified as a nursery-specific finding.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities, the school’s support process begins with observations and discussion with parents. Short-term targets are reviewed every 4–6 weeks. Class teachers work with teaching assistants and the SEND coordinator, who can involve the Speech and Language Therapy Service or Educational Psychology. Families therefore have a route into coordinated support, with parents involved in reviewing needs and planning next steps.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through the normal local-authority process and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year.

For Rotherham residents, applications go through the Local Authority School Admissions Team, online or using a paper application form. Families living outside Rotherham apply through their home local authority. Treat nursery attendance and the Reception application as separate decisions.

Nursery children are brought inside by their grown-ups. Gates and doors open at 8.40am and close at 8.50am. Some FS1 children leave at 11.30am, with collection through the back gate. Each child has a peg for their coat and bag and should bring a water bottle.

The Lime Trees provides on-site breakfast and after-school childcare for children from Foundation Stage through Year 6. Booking involves selecting Rawmarsh Sandhill Primary School at thelimetrees.co.uk and registering the child before reserving sessions. For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 01709 710875 or email contactus@rawmarshsandhill.org.