Brierley Forest Primary and Nursery School Nursery Review

A mud kitchen, water wall and storytelling chair give The Caterpillars plenty to explore. This is Brierley Forest’s nursery for three and four-year-olds, within the school’s shared early years space. Children can join the term after their third birthday, with up to three intakes each year: September, January and April.

Nursery and Reception share an environment arranged around their different ages, including a large outdoor area. That makes the nursery part of school life from the start. In December 2025, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision to meet the Expected standard. This judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Play and conversation shape the learning. Children choose their own explorations indoors and outside, while adults demonstrate skills and help them take ideas further. Teaching also happens individually, in small groups and with the whole class. Children therefore have time both to follow an interest and to learn alongside others.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum covers seven areas, bringing together language, relationships, movement, literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. Personal, social and emotional development and communication receive particular emphasis because many nursery children begin with gaps in these areas. A two-year cycle combines themed learning, books and children’s interests. Development Matters helps staff plan the progression of skills.

Outdoor learning has substantial space and equipment. The new EYFS outdoor area opened in spring 2025, with places for digging and planting, a climbing frame, sand play and construction. A stage and music area add opportunities for performance; canopies support use throughout the year. These features give children different ways to practise movement, make things and develop imaginative play.

Experiences extend beyond the classroom. In May 2025, EYFS children visited White Post Farm to connect their learning about habitats and animals with a trip. A January 2025 walk involved searching for the Gruffalo. Such activities give stories and classroom themes a practical setting.

Warm exchanges with adults were a strength of early years in December 2025. Staff expanded children’s vocabulary through conversation and questions that invited longer answers, with additional help for children whose speech and language development needed support. Early identification of additional needs was also a clear focus, helping children receive support promptly.

An EYFS teacher leads The Caterpillars, supported by early years teaching assistants. Families receive daily school communication through Class Dojo, including learning updates, photographs and information about trips. This gives parents regular material to talk about with their child at home.

For children staying across lunchtime, school dinners are an optional paid extra, with packed lunches as an alternative. Under-fives can receive free milk after registration with Cool Milk. Registering by Tuesday allows milk to begin the following week.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate online application through their home local authority for school-age admission. Treat this as a distinct application, even if your child already attends The Caterpillars.

Shared early years space offers continuity in the physical surroundings, but it does not replace that application. Staff also pass children’s end-of-year assessment information to the next teacher, helping the receiving team build on what each child can already do.

The 15-hour entitlement runs over 38 weeks and can be taken as five morning or five afternoon sessions. Morning nursery runs from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoons run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Eligible families can take the 30-hour entitlement through term-time full days, from 8.45am to 3.15pm.

Families without 30-hour eligibility can pay to extend sessions into full days, subject to availability. Everything within the funded hours is included. Optional extras are school dinners for children staying over lunch and contributions towards visits or visitors where costs arise. Payments for extra sessions and dinners use Arbor; contact the school for current charges.

Nursery applications go directly to the school, using an online form or a form from the office. Tours can be arranged by contacting the team. For nursery enquiries, email bforesteyfs@bforest.notts.sch.uk or call 01623 553189.