Hillocks Primary Academy Nursery

Rainbow challenges give Hillocks’ nursery its distinctive thread: children practise solving problems, develop language and explore early maths through play. Independence is an explicit aim. This is the nursery at Hillocks Primary Academy in Sutton-in-Ashfield, with children joining from the term following their third birthday and funding offered for three- and four-year-olds.

Teaching staff work alongside support staff. The nursery describes its team as highly qualified and encourages children to explore ideas and use their imaginations, giving its early learning approach a clear emphasis on discovery.

Children’s interests help shape learning through a child-led approach. Half-termly topics bring opportunities to experiment, talk, share and play, while themed days introduce different subjects to spark curiosity. Rainbow challenges add a focus on developing particular skills, including speaking, listening and creative problem-solving. For parents, these are concrete examples of how play is intended to carry learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for both development and care. Communication, physical skills and children’s social and emotional development sit alongside maths, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. That means the nursery’s remit extends beyond early reading and numbers to how children communicate, move and relate to other people. The nursery aims to build confidence and creativity through this approach.

Curriculum sequencing. At the Ofsted inspection on 13 and 14 September 2023, early years provision was graded Requires improvement. In September 2023, some areas of early learning lacked sufficiently detailed steps, limiting how steadily children could develop their understanding and skills. The required improvement was a more precise learning sequence across the early years curriculum. This matters alongside the play activities: children need teaching that helps each new skill build on what they have already learned.

The academy’s SEND approach covers communication, learning, emotional and social needs, and sensory or physical needs. It works with external agencies for specialist input and aims to include parents in decisions while keeping them informed about progress. For a nursery family, that provides a starting point for discussing a child’s individual needs within the academy’s support arrangements.

Families are encouraged to raise worries with staff, and safeguarding concerns can be directed to the safeguarding team through the academy office. Wheelchair access extends into the academy and throughout its building, a concrete access feature for children or carers who need it.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process administered by Nottinghamshire County Council.

For the September 2026 admissions cycle, the application deadline was 15 January 2026. That date has passed. Nursery enrolment and the later school application therefore need to be treated as separate decisions, with families following the relevant admissions timetable for their child’s entry year.

Funding is offered for 15 hours a week for three- and four-year-olds, with working parents potentially eligible for up to 30 hours weekly. Eligibility matters: the longer funded entitlement is conditional, rather than automatic for every family. Childcare Choices is the route for checking eligibility.

Nursery applications can be made online. For nursery enquiries, email office@hillocksprimary-ac.org.uk or telephone 01623 408785. The academy is on Unwin Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, NG17 4ND.