Brockley Primary School Nursery Review

Familiar stories give Brockley’s nursery its clearest character: children join discussions that build vocabulary and help them understand their surroundings. This is the school’s own nursery in Shuttlewood, on Clowne Road, with a morning timetable rather than a full nursery day.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 11 and 12 February 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The nursery’s story sessions provide a concrete example of the provision, with children becoming absorbed in conversation about books.

The session runs from 8:40am to 11:40am, making 15 hours across the week. For families, that means planning around a lunchtime finish. The learning described here combines conversation, number thinking and creative work.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework referenced by Brockley’s early years guidance. Its accompanying Development Matters guidance focuses on understanding each child’s development and supporting their individual progress. In practice, familiar books give nursery children opportunities to hear new vocabulary and discuss the world beyond the story.

White Rose Maths is used across the school, including EYFS. In February 2025, early years children demonstrated number understanding by explaining six as five plus another one and comparing their own legs with a spider’s. These examples show children reasoning about quantities, rather than simply reciting numbers.

A jungle mural gives the creative curriculum a physical presence. Nursery children contributed flowers, insects and leaves drawn directly on the wall with Posca Pens. Their work became part of a shared school artwork, giving drawing a purpose beyond an individual sheet of paper.

In February 2025, children in early years were settling promptly and beginning learning soon after joining. Brockley also announced transition diary dates for new Zebra class families starting nursery in January 2026. That was an entry programme for that intake, rather than a Reception admissions advantage.

Food guidance applies across the school: children can choose fresh fruit at break, while families are encouraged to send healthy snacks. Snacks must exclude nuts, and children must not exchange food. Families should tell the office about dietary needs or changes to allergies so these can be addressed.

For additional needs, the school’s SEND process starts with the class teacher, with the SENDCo involved where needed. Support follows an assess, plan, do and review cycle. Speech and Language Therapy and Autism Outreach are among the specialist services the school may involve. These are possible sources of advice, not automatic provision for every child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process. Derbyshire residents use the county admissions route; families living elsewhere apply through their home council.

For September 2026 entry, the application deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle has passed. Children with an EHCP have their placement arranged through the local authority’s SEND assessment service instead of the ordinary online form.

Brockley’s SEND transition support may include photographs, extra visits and handover meetings. These arrangements help maintain continuity of support; they do not determine who receives a Reception place.

Morning attendance. The nursery timetable specifies morning sessions only, from 8:40am until 11:40am. Families need collection arrangements that fit that finish.

Green Gates open at 8:30am, with staff on duty, and close at 8:40am. Children should be ready in class before closure. For nursery enquiries, telephone 01246 823344, email info@brockley.derbyshire.sch.uk or use the contact form. Parents can also contact their child’s teacher through Dojo or SeeSaw.