Donnington Wood Infant School and Nursery Centre: Nursery Review

Songs, outdoor learning and growing independence give this nursery its character. Donnington Wood Infant School and Nursery Centre in Telford has provision for two-year-olds and for children aged three and four, with 60 places for the older nursery group. It sits within the infant school on Baldwin Webb Avenue.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 28 and 29 June 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Short activities directed by adults sit alongside longer periods when children choose their own play. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together movement, communication and emotional development with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. For parents, this means learning through conversation and practical experience as well as teaching in small steps.

Sound comes before formal reading. Daily nursery phonics uses Phase 1, with attention to rhyme, listening and telling sounds apart. The Love of Reading books are revisited daily over half a term, giving children repeated encounters with stories and their vocabulary. Mark-making can happen standing at easels or on paper fixed beneath a desk. These activities connect early writing with developing arm and hand strength.

Willow School adds weekly learning beyond the classroom, while a weekly PE session uses the school hall. Children can play outside in snow or rain, so outdoor activity needs suitable clothing. In June 2023, nursery learning included noticing differences between indoor and outdoor temperature and linking these to clothing; three-year-olds then explored seasons. Everyday experiences become starting points for understanding their surroundings.

Settling is adjusted to the family. Parents can talk with the teacher about their child's abilities and concerns before starting, and shorter sessions or telephone calls can help when separation feels difficult. Tapestry provides an online journal where staff share learning observations and parents can contribute experiences from home. This gives both sides a way to connect learning across nursery and home.

The team includes a lead practitioner with responsibility for two-year-olds and a senior early years practitioner. Families with a child learning English as an additional language can speak to their teacher or key worker. Support extends across nursery and school, with staff receiving assistance from Telford and Wrekin's Multicultural Development Team. The school says it adapts access to the curriculum for pupils with SEND.

Food also has a learning purpose. In June 2023, dining expectations began with two-year-olds, with dining-hall displays helping lunchtime staff encourage independence consistently. The school's catering service cooks hot meals on site each day and accommodates allergies and special diets through the office. Parents can choose a packed lunch or a hot meal that day.

Home learning partnership. In June 2023, leaders were asked to increase parents' involvement in children's learning, including support for reading at home. For families, involvement in learning deserves attention alongside routine updates.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Telford & Wrekin Local Authority's admissions portal and meet the normal Reception application deadline.

Transition support is a separate matter. Children already attending nursery take part in transition during nursery sessions, and parents are offered a telephone conversation with the new teacher. That provides a chance to begin the next relationship; it does not secure admission.

Morning sessions run from 8:40 to 11:40, with afternoons from 12:30 to 15:30. Full-day places are also offered. Universal funding provides 15 hours from the term after a child's third birthday; eligible two-year-olds can receive 15 or 30 hours from the term after turning two. Working-family funding is subject to eligibility, with applications through Childcare Choices.

For eligible children taking a 30-hour place across five full days, lunchtime supervision carries a daily charge. Funding covers the two nursery sessions, and there are no other nursery charges. Contact the school for current charges.

Visits can be arranged by appointment, and nursery registration goes through the school office. Telephone 01952 386640. Children can wear uniform or practical clothes of their own, avoiding belts. Label clothing and provide a coat, with wellies for snowy outdoor play and a sunhat in warmer weather.