Kingfisher Community Primary School Nursery

A mud kitchen, a performance area and an on-site forest give Kingfisher’s nursery provision an outdoor emphasis. The nursery belongs to the school’s early years unit, with an open-plan classroom and outdoor learning space shared with Reception. For families considering a school nursery, that shared environment is a concrete connection to the next stage of school life.

The provision is for three- and four-year-olds at Kingfisher Community Primary School in Princes Park, Chatham. In February 2025, no children were attending the nursery. That dated position matters when weighing the learning arrangements described here against experience of an occupied nursery.

Children’s interests help shape planned activities, and teaching is adapted to individual needs. Progress is tracked so that activities can respond to each child’s development. The emphasis is on extending what interests children rather than giving every child an identical learning experience.

Outside, children can use the water zone and mud kitchen, build in the construction area or explore the performance area. These are distinct spaces for different kinds of activity. Outdoor learning continues in different weather conditions, while the school’s own forest is used weekly for forestry skills. The outdoor provision therefore extends beyond a playground break.

Special celebrations take place each term. Past examples include Polar Express Day, a Teddy Bears Picnic and Pumpkin Carve. Termly trips and visits are planned to help children learn about the wider world through direct experiences, giving learning a setting beyond the classroom.

Early writing. In February 2025, Ofsted identified insufficient practice in spelling and forming letters across the early years. Children were consequently not developing enough fluency in those skills. This is a relevant caution alongside the activities and outdoor spaces.

Learning Journeys record children’s progress, and parents are encouraged to contribute learning from home as well as look through the books. Termly events also bring parents into the learning space to take part in activities with their children. This gives families a practical role in sharing and discussing development.

A snack bar provides healthy choices, alongside daily activities supporting physical development. Nursery lunch is scheduled for 11:45am, giving meals a defined place in the school timetable.

For additional needs, the school aims to include children in mainstream learning with support matched to their needs. Families can contact the special educational needs coordinator through the school office. The safeguarding team can also be reached through that office, providing a direct contact for concerns about a child’s welfare.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Parents apply to their home local authority, which sends a single school-place offer; Medway Council is the local contact for admissions guidance.

Shared outdoor learning space connects the nursery with Reception physically. Keep that connection separate from the allocation of places: familiarity with a learning environment is not an offer of admission.

The nursery is on Kingfisher Drive, Princes Park, Chatham, ME5 7NX. For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01634 661 540 or email office@kingfisher-gst.org. Tours of the early years facilities can be arranged by calling the office to book an appointment.