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Nursery at The Phoenix Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Ducklings and Cygnets give this large school nursery two distinct bases for play and group learning. At The Phoenix Primary School in Laindon, there are 150 sessional places in total, with 75 places per session. Each session includes children aged two, three and four; admission usually starts in the term following a child's third birthday, subject to space.
This is the school's own nursery, with a day that combines children's choices with short teaching sessions. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good on 17 and 18 June 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection.
Play comes first. Children choose a weekly theme, with learning spanning social skills, language, physical development and early reading and number work. This is the practical shape of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): learning to communicate, move and manage relationships alongside the beginnings of literacy and maths.
Sessions begin with activities chosen by children before groups use the Ducklings or Cygnets rooms. Dough disco exercises fingers, while Brain breaks brings music and movement. Read, Write, Inc introduces phonics, beginning in Nursery with awareness of sounds in language. Group time with a key worker and focused activities sit alongside further opportunities to choose what to do.
There is plenty to handle and explore: water and sand, construction toys, sewing, a work bench with tools, and cooking. Role play and dressing up make room for imaginative storytelling. Children also use a tablet, computer and interactive whiteboard. Outdoor play areas and regular use of the hall for movement and music extend activity beyond the nursery rooms.
Story time, snacks and songs give each session recurring pauses. Cygnets children have Magic Maths after stories; Nursery maths also includes a ten-minute group activity led by an adult. In June 2025, early-years children played cooperatively, shared resources and took turns. They also followed adult guidance and familiar routines readily, useful foundations for learning in a group.
A comfort toy can accompany a child when they first start, then stays at home after settling. Families leave a named bag containing spare clothes. These small arrangements give children something familiar initially and a practical backup during the day.
Communication includes emailed observations and photographs through Evidence Me. Parents can reply with learning from home or email the nursery team. Weekly themes are shared through Parent Share, giving families a specific starting point for conversation.
For children staying across both sessions, Midday Assistants supervise lunch between 11:20am and noon. Bring a named lunchbox or purchase a cold packed lunch through ParentPay. Lunchbox restrictions include nuts, sesame, foods containing bones, fizzy drinks, sweets and chocolate products.
The school's SEND approach emphasises identifying needs early, with support individually, in small groups or within class. A SENCo and assistant SENCo provide a school-level contact structure for families discussing additional needs.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the applicable deadline. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery sessions.
Preparation happens gradually within the nursery day. Children spend time in the Cygnets classroom for more structured phonics and maths, with that time increasing through the year. The aim is to familiarise children with the next stage's learning routines; this preparation does not secure admission.
Mornings run from 8:20am to 11:20am; afternoons from noon to 3pm. For three- and four-year-olds, universal funding provides 15 hours per week through five mornings or five afternoons, rather than individually chosen sessions. Eligible children using 30-hour funding can attend five full days, 8:20am to 3pm. Parents supply their funding code and renew eligibility every three months; eligibility itself does not guarantee a nursery place.
Additional sessions above the universal entitlement require advance booking and payment for the half term. A snack contribution applies. Breakfast childcare accepts nursery children from 7:30am, with advance payment through ParentPay. Contact the school for current charges.
Uniform combines a white polo shirt and royal blue knitwear with grey or black bottoms. Nursery children may wear jogging bottoms and trainers, and non-branded clothing is sufficient. Easy fastenings help children manage independently.
An adult must bring and collect each child. Tell staff at the session's start if someone different will collect; a password is recommended. Nursery waiting-list forms go to newadmissions@phoenix-pri.essex.sch.uk.
Subject to available space, children usually start in the term after their third birthday. Sessions include a mixture of two-, three- and four-year-olds.
For three- and four-year-olds, the 15-hour weekly universal entitlement is arranged as five morning sessions or five afternoon sessions. Individually chosen sessions are not offered.
Bring a named lunchbox that follows the nursery's food restrictions, or purchase a school cold packed lunch through ParentPay.
Observations and photographs are shared regularly by email through Evidence Me. Families can reply with examples of learning at home.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process. Time in Cygnets prepares children for different learning routines; it does not secure a place.
