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Nursery at River Mill 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, rhymes and forest club give River Mill Nursery a clear early learning character. This is River Mill Primary School’s own nursery on Central Road in Dartford. At the Ofsted inspection on 5 and 6 December 2023, early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Sharing stories and joining in with rhymes are regular nursery activities. They give children repeated opportunities to enjoy language before independent reading. In December 2023, learning in early years built progressively on children’s existing knowledge, with the knowledge to be taught clearly identified. For parents, that means early learning has a planned sequence rather than being a collection of unrelated activities.
The early years foundation stage includes developing confidence with numbers, writing and social interaction. In December 2023, children gained these skills quickly and worked cooperatively together. The youngest children also sustained their attention and listened carefully. Learning to work alongside other children matters here as well as learning to write or count.
Forest club adds exploration beyond the classroom. Regular visits helped early years children understand their surroundings, giving their learning about the world a practical dimension.
A nursery manager and deputy manager work alongside nursery practitioners and an apprentice, with an EYFS and nursery lead within the school’s teaching structure. The nursery manager also holds a designated safeguarding leadership role. Families can raise safeguarding concerns through dsl@rivermillprimaryschool.co.uk, providing a direct contact for concerns about a child’s safety.
For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school uses a cycle of assessing needs, planning support, putting it into practice and reviewing its effect. Personalised provision plans contain individual targets, and families take part in review meetings at least termly. This gives parents a role in deciding what support should achieve and whether it needs to change.
The Nest is the school’s wellbeing hub, accessible to all children. A pastoral team and family liaison officer provide further support. For food allergies, parents must submit an allergen form with a medical professional’s referral letter and discuss it with the school first. Olive Dining aims to accommodate medical and cultural diets where possible; this is a conditional arrangement, so families should address dietary needs before meals begin.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the 2027/28 oversubscription criteria. Parents must make a separate application through their home local authority. For September 2027 entry, submit the Common Application Form, naming River Mill as a preference, by Friday 15 January 2027.
Transition support is a separate matter. For children with SEND, preparation between year groups includes sharing information with the next teacher and opportunities to meet the teacher or visit the new class. Photographs and social stories may be added where needed, helping make the next learning environment more familiar.
Morning nursery runs from 9.00am to noon; afternoon nursery runs from 1.00pm to 4.00pm. Both sessions can count towards 15 or 30 funded hours. Breakfast runs from 8.30am to 9.00am, while the lunch session covers noon to 1.00pm. Breakfast, lunch and the extra-curricular session cannot count towards either funding allocation. Families using these additional sessions need to account for that distinction when planning attendance and discuss current charges with the school.
For nursery enquiries, contact admin@rivermillprimaryschool.co.uk or telephone 01322 466975. The school is at Central Road, Dartford, DA1 5XR.
The morning session, 9.00am to noon, and afternoon session, 1.00pm to 4.00pm, can count towards 15 or 30 funded hours. Breakfast, lunch and the extra-curricular session cannot.
No. Nursery attendance gives no Reception priority under the 2027/28 criteria. A separate application through the child’s home local authority is required.
Friday 15 January 2027. Apply through the home local authority using its Common Application Form.
In December 2023, early years children made regular visits to forest club, supporting their understanding of the world around them.
Contact the school office at admin@rivermillprimaryschool.co.uk to request a meeting with your child’s class teacher. SEND support is planned and reviewed with families, with review meetings at least termly.
