Winter Gardens Academy Nursery

Kevin the Koala takes nursery life home: this nursery bear spends a weekend with a child, carrying clothes, a toothbrush and a diary for families to record his adventures. Back at nursery, those stories and photographs can be shared with the other children. It gives home experiences a place in the group’s conversation.

Winter Gardens Academy’s nursery is part of the school on Hilton Road, Canvey Island. The academy describes belonging and inclusion as central to its ethos. In the Ofsted inspection of 27 and 28 April 2022, early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covered the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Books and rhymes give the learning a concrete starting point. In April 2022, the reading journey began in Nursery through stories, books and rhymes. These are early encounters with reading, giving children material to listen to, talk about and enjoy together.

Across early years at that inspection, activities responded to children’s needs, and children enjoyed learning and achieved well. The curriculum combined personal development with academic learning. Solving problems, learning to share and collaborating were specific parts of that work: the emphasis was on learning alongside others as well as developing knowledge.

Cooperation also began in Nursery. In April 2022, children were learning how to behave and work with adults and other children. For parents, this makes the social side of the day significant: taking part in a group is itself something children learn.

Each nursery staff member acts as a key worker for particular children, giving families an identified adult connection. The team includes a nursery manager and practitioners; qualifications include level 4 in childcare and education and NNEB.

Daily conversations with staff sit alongside two parent consultations each year. Parents also receive a report in the Summer Term. These provide different opportunities to discuss development: everyday exchanges for immediate matters, with scheduled discussions for a fuller picture of progress.

In April 2022, adults in early years understood children exceptionally well, and children achieved well from different starting points. That finding matters for families whose children begin nursery with different experiences and levels of development.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer admissions priority. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority during the normal admissions round, by its usual deadline. For most local families, the route is Essex County Council’s primary school application process. Treat that application as a separate task, even while your child attends nursery.

The school office handles enquiries and can arrange a tour. Contact it on 01268 699305 or at admin@wintergardensacademy.org. The nursery’s school address is Hilton Road, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 9QA.