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Nursery at Lubbins Park Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A growing patch, mud kitchen and Role Play Stage give The Harbour a practical, outdoors-focused character. This is Lubbins Park Primary Academy’s own nursery on May Avenue, Canvey Island, with children joining from the term following their third birthday. It forms part of the main school, rather than a separate setting.
Families can choose morning or afternoon attendance with 15-hour funding, while children receiving 30-hour funding attend a full day. That makes the length of the day a meaningful part of the choice. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 4 and 5 February 2025; that judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection.
Outdoor learning has several distinct spaces. Children can explore surfaces of paving, bark and artificial grass, use the Climbing Frame, or build in the Construction area. The Forest garden includes a growing patch. These features give play different purposes: movement, making things and exploring the natural world.
The Harbour’s outdoor space serves both Nursery and Reception. Bike and trike markings support large movements, while den building and the role play area make room for imaginative games. A story chair gives storytelling its own place. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings these experiences into learning: physical development, imagination and language extend beyond indoor activities.
Early reading also has a clear place. Read Write Inc. is the academy’s phonics scheme, and in February 2025 children were learning letter sounds in Nursery. This gives families a concrete example of the first steps towards reading.
Curriculum development. In February 2025, the early years curriculum did not fully specify important knowledge across learning areas. Activities did not consistently extend children’s existing knowledge or support independence. For parents, the useful distinction is between the resources children can use and how deliberately activities develop their learning.
Qualified practitioners support the nursery children. The academy aims to help new starters settle promptly and make learning enjoyable. A Thursday toddler session, from 9:15 to 10:15am, offers families an opportunity to spend time at the setting; tours can also be booked through the office.
Lunch needs planning at home. Children attending the funded full day remain for lunch, and parents provide a healthy packed lunch. This is part of the nursery arrangement, so families should plan for it alongside the longer session.
For additional support, parents can raise SEND concerns through the school office. The school’s Wellbeing Team also welcomes families who are worried about their child or experiencing difficulties at home. Communication includes text updates, and parents can contact the school by telephone or email with concerns. These give families direct routes into the team.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, coordinated by Essex County Council. For the September 2026 intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026; that cycle is now past.
Familiarity and admissions are separate matters. Nursery children share structured PE lessons with the Reception class, and the two groups use The Harbour’s outdoor learning space. Those connections can help children become familiar with the next stage, but they do not secure admission.
Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, with afternoons from noon to 3pm, for children receiving 15-hour funding. The 30-hour funded day runs from 9am to 3pm. An extra three-hour session may be possible for children on the shorter funded pattern, with a charge payable by parents. Contact the school for current charges.
Nursery gates open at 8:50am and end-of-day collection is at 3pm. During the day, access is through the May Avenue entrance, using the buzzer to speak to the office. Nursery children wear school uniform, with a polo top permitted instead of a shirt and tie; Penn UK supplies it.
For nursery enquiries and tour bookings, telephone 01268 697181 or email admin@lubbinspark.essex.sch.uk. Nursery applications go directly to the academy, which contacts families in the term before their child is due to begin.
Children can join from the term after their third birthday.
For children receiving 15-hour funding, morning sessions are 9am to noon and afternoons are noon to 3pm. Children receiving 30-hour funding attend from 9am to 3pm.
Children attending the full day stay for lunch and need a healthy packed lunch from home.
No. A separate Reception application is required through the normal Essex County Council admissions route.
Yes. Call the office to book a nursery tour. There is also a toddler session on Thursdays from 9:15 to 10:15am.
