Lewes Old Grammar School Nursery Review

A mud kitchen, garden area and outdoor classroom give Lewes Old Grammar School’s early years provision a practical, outdoors-facing character. Its nursery class is called Pre-Reception and belongs to the Junior School. Early years children share the junior site, separate from the senior school, so their surroundings sit within the younger part of the school.

Joining can be gradual. Children may attend some or all Pre-Reception sessions, allowing familiarity with the school to develop at their own pace. That makes the first step a process of getting comfortable with people and surroundings.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning with physical, emotional and social development. Here, the April to May 2024 ISI inspection found that early years children achieved their learning goals and developed those skills effectively. Children had different opportunities to revisit skills, giving them more than one way to practise and understand something new.

Outdoor learning has concrete spaces: the garden, outdoor classroom and mud kitchen. The EYFS manager holds level 3 forest school training. These features give practical exploration a place alongside indoor learning; the early years spaces were suitably equipped and staffed in April to May 2024.

Small physical achievements matter too. At that time, children were developing pencil control alongside catching and throwing. Adults also helped children practise listening, sharing and playing with others. Learning therefore included handling tools and objects, joining a conversation and making room for another child’s turn.

An initial informal visit lets prospective Pre-Reception children spend time with their peers and explore the Foundation Stage areas. Combined with attendance at some or all sessions, this gives settling a gradual shape. In April to May 2024, early years staff exchanged learning updates with parents and shared information at both ends of the day, connecting home with what children were doing at school.

Emotional support was practical: adults helped children recognise feelings and find ways to feel better. Early years staff also included paediatric first aiders. Junior School lunches are prepared fresh each day; Pre-Reception meals are charged separately and paid through IPAY, so families need to budget for lunch alongside tuition.

Safeguarding. In April to May 2024, failures in handling allegations against staff left safeguarding requirements unmet, including EYFS requirements. The February 2025 monitoring inspection found that the relevant standards considered were met, with appropriate referrals and effective procedures for allegations against adults. The safeguarding team included a deputy responsible for early years. This is a material part of the care picture for families considering the nursery.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Confirm the Reception admissions process with the admissions team before making plans.

For children joining Reception, settling sessions take place in the summer term before their autumn start. These provide time to become comfortable before full-time schooling begins. They are transition support, not an admissions entitlement.

Pre-Reception tuition is charged by term. Lunch is an additional charge; contact finance@logs.uk.com for current charges and help setting up the lunch payment account.

Arrange an initial visit through admissions@logs.uk.com or call 01273 472634. Personal school visits run each week, giving families an opportunity to meet staff and discuss joining. For day-to-day Junior School contact, use officejs@logs.uk.com or 01273 473246.