Prospect Hill Infant and Nursery School Nursery Review

Welly Wednesdays and woodland stories give Prospect Hill’s nursery a character of its own. Nursery children regularly use the school’s woodland, while daily outdoor learning creates room to explore ideas beyond the classroom.

This is Foundation 1 provision within Prospect Hill Infant and Nursery School on Maple Drive, Worksop. Children can start in the term following their third birthday. Caterpillar Class combines Foundation 1 and Foundation 2, placing nursery provision within the school’s early years team. In June 2024, Ofsted graded early years provision Good; this was an early years judgement within the school inspection.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning with everyday development. Here, that means building confidence in talking, moving and managing feelings alongside early reading, number, creative work and exploring the world. Learning follows a topic-based approach that connects different curriculum areas.

Language gets a practical starting point. Supersonic Phonic Friends begins in nursery with Firm Foundations in Phonics 1: listening to surrounding sounds, making rhythms, using voice sounds and hearing how spoken words break into smaller sounds. Activities happen through play provision and everyday exchanges with adults. The emphasis is on listening and speaking, giving children foundations for later reading.

Books extend that work. Classroom reading areas contain books connected to topics and authors, and Browser Books go home for families to share, with a weekly change. Computers are also set up in the nursery classroom, adding opportunities to explore technology alongside books and play.

Outside, nursery children use the woodland for Welly Wednesdays and storytelling rather than the formal Forest School lessons taught further up the school. Foundation Stage children have outdoor access daily, with resources linked to their topics and opportunities to develop ideas on a bigger scale.

In June 2024, early years learning included moving water through pipes, experimenting with connected ramps and cars, and using counters for addition. Adults helped children extend their vocabulary through conversation. These are tangible examples of exploration serving language and number learning. Evaluation of how the curriculum helped pupils retain knowledge was still being developed across the school at that time.

Emotional development has a named approach. Thrive-Online screening covers all children, informing activities within teaching and additional support. Individual THRIVE Action Plans use play and arts activities, either individually or in small groups, to address identified social and emotional targets.

For families discussing additional needs, the school has a SENCO and an English as an additional language lead. The school aims to adapt provision flexibly so children can participate in the curriculum. Parents can contact the Caterpillar Class teacher directly by email, creating a route for conversations about their child.

Snack provision includes a free daily portion of fruit or vegetables for nursery children through the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. Choices vary with the season. Milk is free until a child’s fifth birthday and is organised through Cool Milk.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Nottinghamshire County Council’s admissions service, using its School Admissions Hub or telephone route. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Sharing Caterpillar Class with Foundation 2 is a classroom arrangement, not an admissions entitlement. In June 2024, early years children were developing the knowledge and language needed for their next educational stage.

The standard funded pattern is 15 hours each week, taken as five mornings or five afternoons. Morning nursery runs from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoon nursery runs from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. These are three-hour sessions, so the usual booking pattern requires a consistent half-day choice.

Eligible working parents can access up to 30 funded hours during term time, subject to availability. Alongside the usual nursery sessions, additional care comprises up to four sessions with lunchtime cover. For example, a morning child can stay through lunch and the afternoon on four school days, without an additional charge to eligible parents. Breakfast Club carries an extra charge; contact the school for current charges.

Enquiries and nursery applications go through the school office on 01909 486374 or admin@prospecthill.notts.sch.uk. Visits can be booked by telephone. Uniform is requested wherever possible, with logo items optional; book bags are required for part-time children as well as full-time pupils.