Pebbles Nursery at White Cliffs Primary and Nursery School

A toy car wash becomes a maths problem; a role play corner becomes a shop or a science setting. Pebbles, the nursery class at White Cliffs Primary and Nursery School in Dover, gives children practical ways to put their learning to work.

Provision covers two-, three- and four-year-olds, with up to five two-year-olds accommodated in each session. That limit matters for families choosing sessions for younger children. In the inspection of 8 and 9 May 2024, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding. This judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Choice shapes the day. Children select activity areas, while the carpet area provides a place for teaching together. The early years curriculum builds knowledge and skills through practical activity and conversation: in May 2024, discussion was a particular strength, illustrated by children working out charges for a car wash they had constructed.

Indoors, the role play space changes each term to match learning themes. Children can act as scientists, shopkeepers or cooks. Counting, puzzles and pattern-making belong in the maths area; drawing with coloured pens and practising their names give children reasons to use the writing space. These are concrete routes into number, language and early writing.

Construction has its own area for towers and models. Paint, glitter and glue feature in messy play, while outdoors there are large building blocks, a playhouse, sand and water. Children therefore have opportunities to make, build and experiment across indoor and outdoor spaces. Learning school routines also begins in nursery, making everyday expectations part of the experience.

Two-year-olds can begin with fewer hours, then build towards their full 15-hour funded entitlement to support settling and wellbeing. For three- and four-year-olds, access to funding is not conditional on settling sessions or a staggered start. The distinction gives families flexibility while protecting access to funded attendance.

Lunch is a practical choice for children attending the afternoon session: a charged hot meal with two courses, or a healthy packed lunch from home. Families can choose between a prepared meal and food they pack themselves.

Within the wider school, the deputy headteacher holds the SENCO role, and an early years and Key Stage 1 leader also has deputy safeguarding responsibility. These roles provide a school-level structure around the nursery’s teaching and care.

Attending Pebbles does not guarantee a Reception place at White Cliffs. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child’s intake. Familiarity with school routines is preparation for the next stage, rather than an admissions entitlement.

For the September 2026 intake, applications closed on 15 January 2026. Kent residents who had missed that cycle were directed to kentonlineadmissions@kent.gov.uk, supplying their child’s name, birth date and full address. That deadline belongs to the 2026 intake.

Morning sessions run from 08:45 to 11:45, and afternoon sessions from 11:45 to 14:45. A further half-hour session runs from 14:45 to 15:15 and is charged. The nursery operates during term time for 38 weeks each year, so the pattern needs to fit family arrangements during school holidays.

Eligible two-year-olds can receive up to 15 funded hours under Free for 2, beginning in the full term after their second birthday. Three- and four-year-olds have the universal 15-hour entitlement from the full term after their third birthday. Working Parent Entitlement funding is also accepted from age two. Funding uses three-hour blocks; session choices depend on availability.

Extra sessions require advance agreement, and cancelling sessions requires four full weeks’ notice. Ask the school for current charges. Nursery enquiries go to pebbles@whitecliffsprimary.com or 01304 206174; application forms can be collected from the school office and returned there or posted. At 08:45, Pebbles staff welcome children and families through the Green Gate.