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Nursery at Ditchling St Margaret's Church of England 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A pond, a library and a Quiet Garden give Nursery Owls more than a classroom to explore. This is the on-site nursery at Ditchling St Margaret's Church of England Primary School on Lewes Road, with children starting from age two. Its character comes from play, choice and access to the surrounding school spaces.
The nursery aims to support friendships and emotional development alongside learning. Children choose activities indoors and outside, giving them room to follow an interest rather than spend the whole session on tasks selected by adults.
Play provides the starting point. Activities are organised around the children, with resources available indoors and outdoors for them to choose and investigate. Story time and building blocks are among the named examples: opportunities to listen, imagine, construct and explore ideas through practical activity.
The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, is the early learning stage here. In March 2025, Ofsted found that learning developed in a considered sequence, with activities supporting children's communication and social skills. For parents, that means the purpose extends beyond keeping children occupied: learning to express themselves and take part with others receives deliberate attention.
School spaces broaden the possibilities. Alongside the library and pond, nursery children can use the hall, playing field and gardens. These give indoor play an outdoor counterpart and make the nursery part of the school's physical setting.
Forest School adds a different rhythm. Each class has a dedicated day each term, with sessions led by qualified teachers. The youngest children's work concentrates on exploring through their senses and developing basic skills. Woodland in the grounds and the village orchard are among the spaces used by the programme. This is a termly feature, so it should not be mistaken for a daily woodland timetable.
Settling into routines was a strength in March 2025: children adapted promptly from nursery onwards and made progress in their learning. Familiar routines matter at this age, helping children understand what happens next as they become accustomed to nursery life.
The staffing structure includes a nursery manager with responsibility for special educational needs and disabilities, nursery practitioners and a cover assistant. Inclusion therefore has a designated role within the nursery team.
HALO, Healthy Active Little Ones, is run by East Sussex County Council. Through it, the nursery team aims to support children's and families' health and wellbeing, considering oral health, physical activity, communication and growing independence. Families can request paper information leaflets from the nursery. These extend the programme's practical advice into home life.
Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place at Ditchling St Margaret's. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing an on-site nursery and applying for a school place remain separate decisions.
Contact the school office at office@ditchlingsch.co.uk or on 01273 844130 for nursery enquiries. A nursery registration form is provided. Refer to the school for current charges.
For Forest School, pack clothing and footwear suitable for all weather: sessions continue whatever the conditions. Outdoor kit is therefore part of preparing for that termly day.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a school place, and families need to apply separately for Reception.
Children choose play activities in both spaces. Story time and building blocks are examples, and nursery children can also use the school's library, hall, playing field, pond and gardens.
Each class has a dedicated Forest School day each term. Sessions continue in all weather, requiring suitable clothing and footwear.
The nursery manager also holds the SENDCo role, alongside a team of nursery practitioners and a cover assistant.
Contact the school office at office@ditchlingsch.co.uk or telephone 01273 844130. A nursery registration form is provided.
