Parsloes Primary School Nursery Review

Toy trains, Oyster Cards and paint-covered wheels give Parsloes nursery learning a recognisable connection to life beyond the classroom. Children have built pretend transport, investigated a real car and remembered a train trip among their favourite experiences. Practical exploration gives them something concrete to talk about.

This is Parsloes Primary School’s own nursery on Spurling Road in Dagenham. Children enter in September following their third birthday, with full-time or part-time places offered. It forms part of the school’s early-years provision, with activities linking stories, creative work and discovery outdoors.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes shape here through play, adult teaching and practical tasks. Development Matters informs the early-years art and design-and-technology curriculum. Children explore materials and practise construction, joining and cutting: small steps towards making their own ideas work.

Off We Go! shows how a theme connects different activities. Children made a train for pretend journeys using Oyster Cards, sang The Wheels on the Bus and created an aeroplane. In the creative area, toy-car wheels became printing tools. A separate transport activity brought children close to a real car to identify its parts, connecting model vehicles with the real thing.

Outdoor learning has specific places and purposes. During Science Week, early-years children planted seeds and flowers in the Busy Garden and explored what plants need. Make a Splash! took water exploration outside in wellies, while TalkForWriting introduced Simon the Friendly Shark. Stories and practical investigation sit alongside each other.

Language also threads through number work. At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that early-years staff encouraged children to explain comparisons between quantities using mathematical language. The task develops both number understanding and the words needed to describe it. Nursery reflections also record practice with numbers and name-writing, alongside bread-making and caring for ducklings.

A nursery class teacher and nursery nurses appear in the staffing structure. Before starting, families offered a place are invited to visit the nursery with their child. That gives children and parents a shared introduction to the setting.

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) includes reflecting on nursery experiences and friendships. Food preparation is also part of learning: nursery children have made bread, and the early-years design-and-technology curriculum introduces food preparation and food origins. These are practical learning activities rather than a description of the lunch routine.

For additional needs, the school’s Universal Offer describes adjustments to resources, explanations and teaching pace before more specialist support. Families can contact the school’s SENDCo about provision. Support in lessons. The January 2023 inspection identified occasional delays in SEND support across the school, affecting learning. Families whose children need additional help should discuss how support will work during nursery activities.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Parsloes Reception. Parents must make a separate application through Barking and Dagenham Council; the online route is eAdmissions, with applications due by the relevant closing date. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception are separate decisions.

Preparation advice includes sharing books, practising conversation and encouraging independence with coats and footwear. These are useful skills to practise at home. They do not change the admissions process.

The nursery timetable gives a morning start of 8.40am and a finish of 11.40am. Full-time and part-time places are offered, while nursery applications are handled by the school office. The funding offer covers 15 hours each week for three- and four-year-olds, with 30 hours for eligible children. Refer to the school for current charges.

Nursery uniform combines black jogging bottoms, a white collared polo and a red sweatshirt carrying the school motif. Footwear should fit securely and have grip; laces are suitable only when children can tie them independently.

To arrange a tour, contact the office on 0208 270 4925 or email office@parsloes.bardaglea.org.uk. A visit provides a chance to see the nursery and raise practical questions.