Nursery at Briscoe Primary School & Nursery

Talk and early reading give Briscoe’s nursery its clearest character. In March 2024, children in the early years were confident speakers, with adults using everyday exchanges to extend their vocabulary. That makes communication a practical part of learning together.

This is the nursery within Briscoe Primary School & Nursery, on Felmores End in Pitsea, Basildon. Children can join from the term after their third birthday, with September, January and April intakes.

Learning to read begins in Nursery. HEARTS Phonics is the school’s named programme, with expectations for children’s progress set term by term from nursery onwards. Phonics connects reading with the sounds in words; here, early reading starts before the move to full-time school.

Within the early years foundation stage (EYFS), writing combines adult guidance with chances to experiment independently. Children practise basic writing skills in small groups each week, then use those skills in focused activities and their own play. The combination gives them both a model to follow and opportunities to try things themselves.

Language has a clear purpose throughout this learning. The March 2024 inspection found that adults developed children’s vocabulary through frequent conversation, and that children participated enthusiastically. Early years children also learned to persist after an unsuccessful first attempt. For parents, these are useful foundations: expressing an idea, joining in and trying again.

Classrooms and outdoor spaces can be explored on a visit to the school and nursery. This gives families a concrete way to see the learning spaces alongside the session arrangements.

Settling starts before the first nursery session. Every child receives a home visit, and there are opportunities to visit the setting during the preceding term. The home visit must happen before admission. This creates contact between home and nursery before children begin attending regularly.

A nursery teacher works alongside nursery staff. The school says it uses its best endeavours to secure additional provision for children with needs involving learning, communication, social and emotional health, or sensory and physical difficulties. Families can also request a confidential consultation with the trust counsellor through a member of staff.

The school employs its own kitchen team, preparing meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Children choose between three meals each day. Parents should speak to the office about allergies so that these can be addressed at lunchtime; nursery full-day places include the lunch period.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority in applications for full-time school. Families must make a separate application through Essex County Council using the normal process and deadline. Choosing this nursery therefore means choosing the nursery experience, while keeping the later school application as a separate task.

Morning sessions run from 8.50am to 11.50am; afternoon sessions run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Children attend for a minimum of 15 hours. Some full-day places include lunchtime and support 30-hour funding, giving families another attendance pattern alongside the shorter sessions.

Session availability. Room leads arrange sessions around parents’ requests and the spaces remaining. Every offered session depends on capacity, so a preferred pattern needs agreement before families build their childcare plans around it.

Nursery applications go to the school office using the nursery application form. Visits can be arranged through the contact form, by calling 01268 727 751 or by emailing briscoe.admin@heartsacademy.uk. Ask the school for current charges.