Valentine Primary School & Nursery: Nursery Review

School-based nursery provision brings Valentine’s offer to younger children in Sholing, Southampton. Attached to Valentine Primary School & Nursery on Valentine Avenue, it belongs to the school rather than being presented as a separate childcare setting. The school announced plans for a nursery opening in September 2025 through an initiative supporting new provision within schools.

Timing matters here. At the inspection on 13 and 14 May 2025, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good. That assessment predates the announced nursery opening, so it should not be read as a judgement of the new nursery.

In May 2025, children in the school’s early years were learning straightforward routines and developing their ability to stay focused on activities they undertook independently. These are practical foundations for a young child’s day: understanding what to do next and spending longer on their own learning. The finding belongs to the early years provision operating at that time.

For families needing additional support, the school has a SENCo and an inclusion leadership structure. Its approach brings parents into discussions about a child’s needs, including their medical background and early history. The school describes working with families and outside professionals to plan support, giving parents a role in explaining the child beyond the classroom.

Assess, Plan, Do, Review is the school’s named approach to SEND support. It links identifying needs with planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing its effect with parents. Separate appointments with the SENCo are possible; the school also provides parent workshops, informal coffee mornings and drop-in meetings.

The Neurodiversity Profile offers another way to explore difficulties with communication or behaviour. School staff complete it with the family, then identify strategies for use at home and school. Its nine dimensions include emotional regulation, speech and language, motor skills and sensory differences. This gives discussions several specific areas to consider rather than concentrating only on behaviour.

A SEND one-page profile also makes room for what matters to the child, how they communicate and how adults can help them. Parent discussions are recorded, with agreed next steps included in a meeting form that parents sign. Families can request a copy, helping them keep track of what has been discussed and agreed.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Southampton City Council is the admissions authority for Valentine, and its admissions team can help with applications. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

The school office is the contact for enquiries: call 023 8044 8944 or email info@valentineprimary.co.uk. Valentine is on Valentine Avenue, Sholing, Southampton, SO19 0EQ. School tours can be arranged through the office, giving prospective families a direct route to meet the school before making their choice.