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Nursery at St Mary's Island Church of England (Aided) Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.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 mud kitchen, large hollow blocks and freedom to move between indoor and outdoor play give Squirrels its exploratory character. This is the nursery within St Mary's Island Church of England (Aided) Primary School, with its own purpose-built accommodation. Two open-plan rooms sit alongside a kitchen, children's toilets and a secure outdoor play space. Partial cover helps keep outdoor activity going throughout the year.
The nursery balances activities directed by adults with play chosen by children. That gives children room to pursue an idea of their own while taking part in shared learning. Worship also forms part of the morning routine, making the school's Church of England identity a practical feature of the day.
Choice comes early. Children register themselves, exchange library books and choose an activity, using prepared resources or finding something that interests them. At 9.15am, a group welcome and story precede an activity guided by an adult, likely to focus on maths or phonics. Snack becomes available at 10.00am, followed by opportunities to play indoors and outside.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives the learning its structure. For younger children, the emphasis is on communication, physical skills and personal and social development: talking, moving and learning to be with others. During the year before school starts, more phonics and maths teaching is introduced, using the school's schemes while keeping activities playful.
Indoors, children can explore water and sand, build, make art or use the home-play area. Two smart boards add another resource. Outdoors, the mud kitchen and hollow blocks offer scope for making and physical activity. Children can move between the two spaces for most of a session, including in wet weather. This makes suitable clothing part of participation, rather than an afterthought.
The afternoon combines child-directed play with adult teaching at 1.15pm. Snack is available at 1.45pm; tidying at 2.30pm leads into a shared activity, stories, singing and rhymes. A book bag supplied when children start lets families continue sharing borrowed books at home.
Each child has an allocated key person, who is the family's initial contact, although teaching involves the whole team. A qualified teacher leads the nursery, supported by assistants; every nursery staff member holds an early years qualification. The key-person arrangement supports settling by giving children a familiar adult from whom to begin exploring.
In November 2023, Ofsted found that nursery staff handled children's learning and care skilfully, with behaviour expectations established early. Children were confident enough to select painting equipment and experiment with percussion, while shared books helped develop their language. Those examples show independence taking shape in ordinary activities.
Children who remain for lunch eat after the morning session. Snacks are offered in both sessions. For children with additional needs, the school's aims include early identification, participation in activities and keeping parents informed about support. Its inclusion team and teaching assistants provide help in classrooms and smaller groups.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the relevant deadline. Treat that application as a distinct step when planning your child's move to school.
Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoon sessions run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Afternoon departures begin at 3.15pm. Nursery staff collect children attending breakfast club and take children attending after-school club to that provision, giving families a supported handover between settings.
Uniform combines a blue, green or yellow sweatshirt or cardigan with a polo shirt in those colours or white. Dark joggers, leggings or elasticated trousers are suitable. Pack wellies, outdoor footwear, indoor slippers or soft shoes, and spare clothes in a named bag. Label clothing too.
Parking. Spaces are extremely limited and nearby roads are narrow. Allow for this when planning collection. Nursery enquiries go to the school office on 01634 891 050 or office@st-marys-island.medway.sch.uk.
The nursery class is called Squirrels and forms part of the school's Foundation Stage.
The morning runs from 8.45am to 11.45am. The afternoon starts at 12.30pm and finishes at 3.30pm, with departures beginning at 3.15pm.
Yes. Each child is allocated a key person as the family's initial contact, while all nursery staff contribute to teaching.
Yes. The secure outdoor area has partial cover, and children can move between indoor and outdoor play for most of each session in all weather. Suitable clothing and wellies are needed.
No. Nursery and Reception admission are separate processes, so families must make a Reception application through the normal route by the relevant deadline.
