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Nursery at Grafton 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Mustard seeds, pancakes and a vote for Goldilocks and the Three Bears give Grafton's nursery a concrete character. These were nursery activities in March 2022: practical experiences alongside stories and early maths. The provision belongs to Grafton Primary School on Grafton Road in Dagenham, so families deal with the school rather than a separate nursery provider.
Creative work forms part of the nursery curriculum. Grafton's Art & Design approach connects nursery topics with making and exploring ideas visually. Its stated aims include experimenting with art, craft and design, giving children ways to express an idea through materials as well as words.
The March 2022 nursery account shows how learning has taken shape in practice. Children planted mustard seeds and explored what plants need, linking something they could watch grow with learning about looking after living things. A garden provided outdoor play space. Indoors, children searched the classroom for objects of contrasting lengths and worked on shapes and repeating patterns. These examples make early mathematical ideas tangible.
Stories also became something children could participate in. For World Book Day that March, nursery children dressed as book characters and voted for their favourite story; Goldilocks and the Three Bears won. Making pancakes and dressing as superheroes added practical activity and imaginative play to that half-term's learning. These are dated examples, rather than a promise of the same activities each session.
Relationships with parents are part of the school's approach to starting nursery. Its admissions information describes an open-door approach and opportunities to discuss worries with staff. That gives families a route for raising concerns about their child's start, rather than keeping those concerns until a formal meeting.
For additional needs, the Inclusion/SEND team includes a SENCO with responsibility for early years. The school's SEND Den supplies activities and advice for learning at home, covering speech and language, movement skills, reading and maths. For a parent supporting a child between nursery sessions, this provides practical material to use alongside conversations with the team.
Safeguarding concerns can be raised through the school's child protection lead, including by email at safeguarding@graftonprimary.co.uk.
Reception admission is separate. Grafton's nursery admission arrangements explicitly say that nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives priority for one in the borough's infant or primary schools. Families must apply again through the normal Reception application process by its normal deadline. Choosing the nursery therefore needs to work for the nursery experience itself; attendance does not reserve a later place.
Nursery enquiries go through the school office on 020 3727 5171 or office@graftonprimary.co.uk. The school is on Grafton Road, Dagenham, RM8 3EX. Use that office contact to begin an enquiry about joining the nursery. Keep the school updated if your contact details change after making an application, so it can continue communicating with your family.
No. The nursery admission arrangements say attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives priority. A separate Reception application is required.
The Art & Design curriculum includes nursery and links creative work with year-group topics. Its aims include experimentation with art, craft and design.
Yes. The March 2022 nursery newsletter described children playing in a garden, alongside learning about plants and planting mustard seeds.
The school's SEND Den provides activities and advice covering areas including speech and language, movement skills, maths and reading. An early-years SENCO is part of the Inclusion/SEND team.
Contact the school office on 020 3727 5171 or email office@graftonprimary.co.uk.
