Aerodrome Primary Academy Nursery

Playdough vegetables become a lesson in shape words at Aerodrome: this is a nursery where conversation and early number learning meet practical activity. The provision serves children aged 3 to 4 within the primary academy on Goodwin Road, Croydon. It belongs to the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), giving its learning a shared framework with the next stage of school.

In November 2025, Ofsted judged early years to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Language and early reading were strengths; forming letters was a weaker point. For parents, that gives a useful balance between the provision's strengths and the skill needing further attention.

Learning combines carpet time, teaching in small groups and free flow opportunities. Teachers plan each day around children's needs and interests, with maths learning taking place both outdoors and inside. Adult guidance sits alongside independent activity, so children have opportunities to explore ideas as well as practise them with support.

The EYFS brings together learning to communicate, move and manage feelings with early literacy, maths, creative work and discovery about the world. Playing, exploring and thinking through ideas are part of that learning. Development Matters guides the mathematical skills children work towards, linking everyday activity to the foundations they will need later.

Vocabulary has a clear purpose here. Adults demonstrate language, pay attention to children's contributions and respond to them; shape vocabulary can be explored while children make vegetables from playdough. Foundational facts sessions reinforce early number knowledge. In November 2025, phonics learning was effective across early years, while writing, especially the formation of letters, needed greater attention. Early reading is therefore a strength, with a specific writing concern for families to keep in view.

An experienced early years team gives children consistent expectations and familiar routines. In November 2025, relationships and adult interactions were positive, and children understood how routines worked. That consistency helps make the learning day predictable.

Staff also maintain close working relationships with parents and carers. For families, this makes communication with the team part of supporting their child's learning. Harrisons provides school meals; families considering nursery lunch should distinguish that school meal service from the arrangements attached to their child's nursery place.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception process.

For the September 2026 intake, applications went through Croydon Council and the deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle has passed. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions, rather than assuming that a nursery place settles the next admission.

Children aged 3 to 4 have a 15-hour government-funded entitlement, and the nursery offers 30-hour places for eligible families. Interest in those places is registered with the school office, giving families a direct enquiry route.

The office can be contacted at office@aerodromeacademy.org or on 0208 688 4975. Uniform can be purchased through Gooddies online, and there is a nursery uniform category. These are practical details to build into preparations for starting.