Whiteways Primary School Nursery Review

Play, conversation and local adventures give Whiteways’ nursery its character: children explore through activities that include forest school, cooking and trips to Osgathorpe park. Early learning here combines children’s interests with adult guidance, rather than relying on one teaching method.

There are two strands: provision for two-year-olds and Nursery (FS1) for children aged three and four. The two-year-old provision accommodates 16 funded children, with eight attending each session; FS1 has provision for 96 part-time children. The nursery occupies space within the main school building on Whiteways Road, Sheffield, so it forms part of the school setting.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning through play, conversation and guided activities. At Whiteways, children make choices about their play while adults model skills and lead focused learning. Topics change to take account of children’s interests and vocabulary needs. This gives language development a practical purpose, linked to what children are exploring.

FS1 themes include Food glorious food! and Transport. Activities include preparing turnip soup, experimenting with paper planes and spotting vehicles on a local walk. Forest school activities include minibeast hunts and mud play. Indoor and outdoor provision gives children opportunities to investigate materials, solve problems and develop their own ideas.

Stories and songs also matter. In October 2024, Ofsted found that adults developed early-years children’s vocabulary through skilled conversation, with frequent interactions supporting their learning. Listening to stories and singing provide further opportunities to practise language. Observations contribute to individual learning journeys and portfolios, which staff share with parents, connecting the nursery day with learning at home.

Settling begins with getting to know the adults. Parents and carers can spend time in the setting with key workers, and home visits and start dates are arranged around a child’s third birthday. That gives families a chance to establish contact before nursery begins. Planned discussions and informal conversations with parents also help staff understand each child.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), support can include flexible use of funded hours, including sharing them with a specialist setting when necessary. Foundation Stage children may be referred to the Early Years 0-5 SEND Service; parental consent is sought before outside-agency referrals. SEN reviews take place three times a year, while children under five with an Education, Health and Care Plan have reviews every six months. These arrangements give families repeated opportunities to discuss support and changes.

Lunch for the two-year-old provision and nursery runs from 11:30 to noon. The school kitchen prepares food daily, with hot meals or sandwiches, fruit or pudding, and a salad bar. Halal and non-Halal meals are served. Children can bring packed lunches, although these cannot be reheated. Free milk is provided for children under five.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Whiteways. Families must make a separate application through Sheffield City Council’s normal admissions procedure and meet the applicable deadline. Nursery key workers help parents with that application process. Familiarity with the school must be kept separate from allocation of a place.

Within school, children move to their next classroom and teacher at the end of the school year in July. Children with SEND may have extra classroom visits and a personalised Transition Book where appropriate. These preparations address the change in surroundings and adults; they do not secure admission.

Two-year-old funded places follow five morning sessions or five afternoon sessions, each lasting three hours, totalling 15 hours weekly. Eligibility depends on both age and family circumstances. For three- and four-year-olds, Universal Free Early Learning provides 15 hours weekly across 38 term-time weeks, taken as mornings, afternoons or half the week. Eligible families can access 30 hours through Extended Free Early Learning. Extra sessions can be booked and paid for; contact the school for current charges.

Visits are arranged individually with parents and children. Contact the office on 0114 242 3169 or email enquiries@whitewaysprimary.co.uk; completed nursery applications go to the school office. School dress guidelines apply throughout the school, and families should label children’s clothing.