The St Augustine's Academy Nursery Review

Number hunts, picture-led storytelling and a choice of shorter sessions or full days give Foundation One its character. This is The St Augustine's Academy's nursery for three- and four-year-olds, on Longfellow Drive in Worksop. Children can start from the term following their third birthday. It sits within the primary school, with its own Foundation One provision and a school-term calendar.

Books invite children to become storytellers before they can read independently. Their first home book uses pictures to prompt an invented story; it is exchanged weekly when families have shared it. Children also select a Reading for Pleasure book each week. That gives parents two different ways to join in: helping a child tell a story and reading aloud something they have chosen.

Early number work is equally concrete. Children show quantities with their fingers, make marks to represent numbers and search for numbers and shapes. Songs help them remember shapes, while counting sides connects the song to something they can examine. Letters and Sounds provides the phonics framework, beginning in nursery with rhymes, rhythm and attention to sounds. These activities build listening and vocabulary before more formal reading.

The early years foundation stage combines physical activity, language and learning through play. In November 2024, early-years children enjoyed outdoor activity and tackled shared problems, including building a leaf tower together. Adults extended children's vocabulary through conversation, and opportunities to revisit learning helped develop confidence. The example brings the approach into focus: movement, teamwork and talk happen together.

An EYFS SENCO and teacher forms part of the Foundation team. For concerns about additional needs, the class teacher is the first contact, with the SEND team available through the school office. This gives families a route from an initial conversation to coordinated support. Parents can also message their class teacher through Dojo about concerns.

For children attending full days, lunch can be brought from home or ordered through SchoolGrid. Dolce Catering supplies the school meals, preparing them from raw ingredients; dinners must be ordered ahead. The school is nut free, so lunch planning needs to take that into account.

Spare clothing belongs in the nursery bag for occasional accidents, and jumpers and cardigans should be labelled. These are small but useful preparations for care during a session and for keeping belongings together across morning and afternoon groups.

Attending Foundation One does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Nottinghamshire Local Authority coordinates admissions, while The Forge Trust is the admissions authority and sets the academy's policy. Treat choosing nursery and applying for school as separate decisions: a nursery place should never be taken as confirmation of a later Reception offer.

Foundation One runs during school terms. Morning sessions are 8:30am to 11:30am, afternoons run from 12:20pm to 3:20pm, and full days run from 8:30am to 3:20pm. Prompt collection is expected. The different session lengths let families compare a shorter nursery day with the full-day pattern.

Nursery-age children qualify for 15 funded hours, with a 30-hour offer for children of working parents. Names can be added to the waiting list after a child's second birthday. Registration can be made online, by emailing office@thestaugustines.co.uk or by calling 01909 473473. Visits can also be arranged through the school office.

Foundation uniform includes a white polo or cotton shirt, grey knitwear and black or grey bottoms, with black shoes rather than trainers. Label clothing before it goes into the nursery bag.