Lordswood School Nursery Review

Stories, conversation and hands-on exploration give Lordswood’s nursery its character. Children begin discussing what stories mean from the start of Nursery, while early years teaching places a strong emphasis on helping them develop language. This is provision within Lordswood School on Lordswood Lane in Chatham, rather than a separate nursery.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 1 and 2 July 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Communication gives the learning a clear focus. In July 2025, early years teaching was effective in developing children’s language and speech. Nursery children considered stories and talked about their meaning, giving them practice in expressing ideas as well as listening. Books are a starting point for conversation, rather than simply something to hear.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for this stage of learning. Curriculum planning includes the Early Years Statutory Framework, and early years children have daily phonics using Read, Write, Inc. In practical terms, this adds regular work on sounds alongside the nursery’s discussion of stories. Learning routines are explicitly taught from Nursery, so children are taught how to take part in learning as well as what they are learning about.

Creative work adds another route into expression. Art provision starts in early years and includes sensory exploration, touch and visual experiences. Colour, pattern, texture and form give children different ways to communicate their ideas.

Special events show some of that learning in action. During Beach Day in July 2025, nursery children played with sand trays and paddling pools in FSU, built sandcastles and joined seaside activities. These were features of that event, rather than a description of every session. In October 2023, nursery children explored Caribbean carnival traditions through music, dancing, costumes and food, made shakers and masks, and held their own carnival. Making and movement brought the topic into children’s experience.

Support for additional needs sits within the school’s SEND arrangements. Children’s targets are checked and reviewed each half term, with focused interventions used where needed. This gives families a recurring point at which support can be reconsidered as their child develops.

With parental consent, the school can involve outside specialists, including Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language services. A SEND coordinator can be contacted through the school office. For children with allergies or long-term medical conditions, staff work with families and community health partners. Calm zones and reflection spaces are available across the school, providing places for a pause and emotional support.

Nursery attendance 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 through the coordinated scheme and receive a single school-place offer from that authority. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

The school office handles general enquiries on 01634336767 or at office@lordswood-gst.org. Lordswood School’s address is Lordswood Lane, Chatham, Kent ME5 8NN. Families seeking contact with the SEND coordinator can also use the office telephone number.