St Mary's Nursery

A pirate boat, a sensory garden and a quiet retreat give St Mary's Nursery a clear character: active play has space of its own, and so does a pause from the group. This charitable nursery on Western Avenue in Ashford has capacity for 24 children aged three to five. Its purpose-built building shares the site of Ashford St Mary’s Primary School, but the nursery operates independently.

At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall, with Outstanding behaviour and attitudes, and found safeguarding effective. There was also a precise improvement point: staff needed to do more to develop children's language during play that children initiate.

Parents can take part in running the nursery through its committee, rather than contributing only at occasional events. Morning, afternoon and all-day attendance run during term time.

Rooms and Ages

Children learn in mixed-age groups, with activities planned around their individual development. The main room accommodates group learning, freely chosen play and eating, while the smaller calm room/Sensory space gives children somewhere quieter to spend time.

Child-sized wash basins and toilets make the building's facilities relevant to everyday independence. The outdoor playground extends the choices further: a wooden train and pirate boat support imaginative play, alongside a sand area, mud kitchen and sensory garden. Children use the outside space in all weather, so suitable coats and wellington boots belong in their nursery kit.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care. In practice, that means play, communication, physical activity and increasing independence belong together in the nursery day. Key people observe what children can already do and use that knowledge to plan their next activities, rather than expecting everyone in a mixed-age group to move at one pace.

Mathematical learning includes everyday counting as well as games involving shape, measurement and patterns. Exploration is hands-on: magnets, ice and dough give children materials to test and compare, while programmable toys introduce another way to experiment.

Books connect nursery learning with home. Children can borrow a book each week, and the February 2026 newsletter described artwork inspired by Elmer the Elephant stories, alongside learning a song using British Sign Language.

The daily routine includes a rolling snack, stories, outdoor play and stretches of self-chosen activity. In September 2025, children practised balance while building bridges together and used tongs during creative work and snack. Songs also signalled changes in the routine, giving children time to finish what they were doing before moving on.

Outdoor and Community Life

Physical play reaches beyond the playground. Two sessions each week take place in the school hall, with equipment including a parachute, footballs and ribbon sticks. Back at nursery, a low balancing beam, climbing frame, scooters and tricycles provide different ways to practise movement. Wooden hollow blocks and planks can be rearranged by children, adding construction to physical activity.

Outings take children into the local area and farther afield to explore their surroundings. Regular visits from a Dental Hygienist bring a visiting professional into the learning programme, while cooking and creative activities provide opportunities for parents to participate.

Relationships and Communication

Each child has a key person, with ongoing observations feeding into activity planning. Parents are invited to discuss assessment records and can speak with staff at the end of a session. Newsletters and a cloakroom notice board provide further ways to follow nursery life.

In September 2025, staff relationships helped new starters settle, and communication with families included spoken updates alongside photographs and information sent through an online monitoring platform.

Parent involvement also extends to governance. The committee includes parents from past and present nursery families, and all parents are invited to join. Meetings take place three times a year.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that the special educational needs coordinator worked with families and outside agencies to support children with SEND and those learning English as an additional language. Signing was used during routines and to support behaviour. The current arrangements also allow families to speak with the SENCo before a child starts, so preparation can begin ahead of attendance.

A safeguarding lead role and paediatric first-aid training sit within the staff arrangements. The calm room/Sensory space provides a quieter option within the building, while home-language resources support communication in play.

Self-care is woven into ordinary activities. In September 2025, children selected and cut snack foods, with adults discussing food choices and handwashing. The February 2026 newsletter described practice with pouring water, drinking from an open cup and putting on coats. Small tasks receive deliberate attention, giving children opportunities to do more for themselves.

Sessions and Attendance

The nursery's address is Western Avenue, Ashford, Kent TN23 1ND. Attendance is term-time only, with funded sessions offered over 38 weeks and a six-term year generally following the primary school's holidays.

Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoons are 12.15pm to 3.15pm. The all-day pattern runs from 8.45am to 3.15pm, with the optional, separately charged 11.45am to 12.15pm period excluded from the all-day fee. Families comparing a morning with an all-day booking therefore need to consider that midday arrangement as well as the session itself.

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 01233 641503 or by email. The waiting-list procedure includes contacting families at least one term before the proposed start to agree sessions, and giving children already attending first consideration before approaching the waiting list. There may also be preference for looked-after children or those entitled to Early Years Pupil Premium or Free for Two funding.

Funding and Paid Extras

The nursery offers 15 hours Free Early Education and, subject to availability, 30 hours Free Early Education during term time. This funded entitlement begins in the term after a child's third birthday, although admission can begin during the birthday term. Free For Two Early Education is offered from age two and a half where parents qualify, subject to availability.

Private hours above the funded entitlement are charged separately, and a non-refundable registration charge applies when a place is accepted. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation. A hot lunch supplied by Ashford St Mary’s Primary School is an optional paid extra, including for funded attendance; alternatively, parents provide a packed lunch.

Moving on to School

Sharing school grounds does not make the nursery part of Ashford St. Mary’s Church of England Primary School. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a place there. Reception preparation instead centres on practical readiness, including dressing, toileting, taking turns, communicating needs and sharing books. Those skills are useful preparation; they are separate from the primary school's admission decision.

• Conversation during play. The September 2025 improvement point concerned extending children's language during their own chosen activities. During a visit, ask how practitioners now develop those conversations, rather than looking only at organised group activities.
• The midday arrangement. Morning and afternoon sessions have different boundaries from the all-day pattern, whose fee excludes the optional midday period. Ask for a written breakdown of the attendance pattern you intend to use, including lunch and that interval.
• Mixed-age learning and a quiet space. Children share mixed-age groups, with a smaller calm room/Sensory space alongside the main room. A visit is a useful opportunity to discuss how your child would use these spaces and how the key person plans for their stage of development.
• School grounds, separate admission. Nursery attendance does not guarantee entry to the primary school. Keep your Reception application plans separate from the nursery booking.

St Mary's Nursery suits families seeking morning or afternoon sessions, as well as those wanting an all-day term-time pattern. Its practical appeal lies in mixed-age learning, a playground equipped for imaginative and physical play, and opportunities for parents to contribute to the committee. Weekly book borrowing adds a simple connection between home and nursery.

The September 2025 judgement recognises children's behaviour and attitudes, alongside a need to extend language during child-led play. The term-time calendar and separate midday charge are practical considerations.