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Nursery at Kents Hill Infant Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Curious Caterpillars combines learning led by children’s interests with tasks directed by adults. This is the nursery at Kents Hill Infant Academy in Benfleet, on Kents Hill Road, rather than a separate childcare setting. Its character comes from that balance: children’s own ideas have a place alongside planned teaching.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 13 and 14 March 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The early years findings give parents a useful picture of learning and social development together.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the curriculum framework. Here, it combines in the moment planning with adult led tasks. In practical terms, children’s interests help shape learning, while adults also introduce activities themselves. There is room for both responding and directing.
For a young child, learning to join in matters alongside developing knowledge. The March 2024 early years findings linked the two: adults modelled courtesy towards classmates and others around school, while children's interests shaped learning activities. Children had support to make progress from the outset, so social development and learning went together.
The school aims for practical, active learning and encourages children to attempt challenges, ask questions and develop independence. Its early years planning balance gives that ambition a concrete form: an interest can prompt learning, and an adult can introduce the next task.
Class Dojo carries most school communication, with teachers sharing regular class updates and photographs of learning. For parents, this provides a connection with classroom activity beyond conversations with staff. Curriculum questions can also go directly to the child’s class teacher.
Support sits within the school’s wider provision. A full-time learning mentor coordinates a graduated response through the KHIA SEMH menu of support for social, emotional and mental health needs. The school teaches children ways to manage feelings and offers additional intervention when needed.
The school works with professionals including occupational therapists and speech, language and communication therapists. Parents can contact the school’s SENCo through the office. These are school-level support arrangements, rather than a promise of a particular intervention for each nursery child.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing Curious Caterpillars and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.
For nursery enquiries, Curious Caterpillars has a direct telephone number, 07308 234816, with contact hours between 8.45am and 3.15pm. Those are telephone contact hours, rather than a session timetable.
The school office can also be reached on 01268 792500 or at office@khiacademy.co.uk. School tours can be requested through the office, giving prospective families a direct route to arrange a visit.
The nursery is Curious Caterpillars at Kents Hill Infant Academy in Benfleet.
Early years follows the EYFS, combining in the moment planning with adult led tasks. Children’s interests and adult direction both contribute to learning.
At the inspection on 13 and 14 March 2024, early years provision was graded Good. Children received effective support with social interaction, and activities provided purposeful learning opportunities.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
Call Curious Caterpillars on 07308 234816 between 8.45am and 3.15pm. The school office is also available on 01268 792500 or at office@khiacademy.co.uk.
