Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard Nursery

Purposeful play and adult interaction characterised the early years findings in November 2021. At Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard in Ebbsfleet, nursery provision forms part of the primary academy, with learning that starts before children move into the main school years.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 9 and 10 November 2021. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The most useful detail for parents was the attention given to children's physical and social development, alongside adult support during independent play.

Play had a learning purpose in November 2021. In November 2021, early years activities were planned to help children develop, with physical skills and learning alongside others receiving particular attention. For a young child, those are practical foundations: developing what their body can do and how they take part with other children.

Adults also helped the youngest children extend their learning during activities they had chosen themselves. Independent play therefore had active adult involvement. The emphasis was on using those moments to help children progress, giving everyday interaction an educational purpose as well as leaving room for children's own activity.

In November 2021, the academy's curriculum drew on the International Baccalaureate, and the school taught its Primary Years Programme. Its educational ambition began in Nursery. This placed the nursery within a school curriculum concerned with curiosity, knowledge and understanding the wider world, rather than treating these first years as simply preparation for formal lessons.

Relationships with adults mattered to the learning described in November 2021. In November 2021, staff interactions with the youngest children supported progress through both planned activities and independent play. For parents, the significant feature is the adult's role within play: responding to what a child is doing and helping that activity develop.

In November 2021, early years teaching also introduced the personal attributes of being caring, principled and open-minded. That gave social development a clear direction. Learning how to relate to other people sat alongside developing knowledge and skills, with these attitudes introduced at the beginning of children's school experience.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing this nursery and applying for a school place are separate decisions; parents should plan for both.

The nursery is part of Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard at Cherry Orchard, Cherry Orchard Road, Ebbsfleet, DA10 1AD. The school telephone number is 01322242011. This is the school contact for families considering its nursery provision.