Desmond Anderson Primary Academy Nursery

Language, songs and learning to work alongside other children give the early years provision at Desmond Anderson Primary Academy its character. The school includes provision for two-year-olds, so its youngest children begin their education within a primary school setting. Their learning starts with communication: adults build vocabulary through activities, giving children words to use as they explore and take part.

At the inspection on 24 and 25 June 2025, children in the early years enjoyed their activities and settled well with the help of established routines and close relationships. Those findings concern early years within the school; they are not a separate nursery grade.

The early years curriculum gives learning a clear sequence. It identifies the knowledge children should acquire and the order in which they should encounter it. For parents, that means activities have a learning purpose alongside the enjoyment of taking part. Play and participation are opportunities to develop understanding, rather than simply fill a session.

For the youngest children, communication and language receive particular attention. Adults reinforce vocabulary across activities, allowing children to encounter and practise words in different contexts. This makes language part of their learning throughout activities, rather than an isolated exercise. It also gives families a useful picture of the emphasis at this early stage: expressing ideas and understanding words matter.

Rhymes and songs introduce children to the pleasure of reading, while phonics begins when children join the early years provision. There is a social strand too. Children learn to cooperate with others, practising participation alongside their developing language. The combination brings together listening, speaking and shared activity, with enjoyment supporting children's involvement.

Relationships and routines provide the clearest picture of everyday care. In June 2025, these helped early years children become comfortable with school life. Familiar expectations give children a structure to follow, while relationships with adults support their participation in activities. Settling is therefore connected to the ordinary rhythm of their day, as well as to the people supporting them.

Enjoyment matters here too. Children took pleasure in the activities offered, giving the picture of settling a practical dimension: they were joining in with learning, not merely becoming accustomed to being in school.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions. Becoming familiar with school life through nursery attendance should not be mistaken for an entitlement to continue into Reception.

The school is on Anderson Road in Tilgate, Crawley, RH10 5EA. The telephone contact is 01293525596. This places the nursery within the school setting described above, with the school as the point of contact for an initial enquiry.