Barnehurst Infant School Nursery Review

Woodland exploration and learning to manage your own boots give Barnehurst’s nursery a practical character. This purpose-built provision at Barnehurst Infant School caters for three- and four-year-olds, with capacity for up to 52 places. Children normally join in September ahead of starting school the following year.

At the inspection on 8 and 9 November 2023, Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding. That judgement covers early years within the school. In November 2023, children in early years were quick to master routines, sustained their attention and persevered with tasks, working both alongside others and independently.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning through play with adult teaching. At Barnehurst, that includes exploring places, observing surroundings and developing the movements needed for writing. Geography sits within Understanding the World: adults help children investigate their surroundings, while play gives them opportunities to apply their learning.

Writing begins with physical preparation. Early years activities develop control of larger movements and smaller hand movements, alongside learning how to hold and use a pencil. In the nursery’s summer term, phonics introduces letters and sounds together with rhymes for forming letters. This connects hearing a sound with making its written shape. French also appears in foundation-stage learning through songs and games involving speaking and listening.

Forest School provides the clearest picture of outdoor learning. The federation has two woodland areas, including one intended mainly for early years and younger pupils. Nursery children usually begin Forest School in Spring 2. Sessions open with a gathering to discuss safety rules and introduce an activity; for early years children, that activity is optional. Exploration follows, supported by adults who use questions to encourage children to think for themselves. A closing gathering gives children time to reflect.

Independence is practised in small, concrete steps. Before woodland sessions, nursery children find their boots and try changing footwear themselves. Each child uses a chair, with shoes placed underneath it, making the routine manageable and helping them remember where their belongings are. Adults help with waterproof clothing in wet conditions and encourage children who need practice fastening coats.

For children whose handwriting is affected by a specific condition, classroom staff use individual strategies and resources agreed with the inclusion lead. Extra handwriting help and practice with hand movements are available for children who need them. This makes support part of the learning activity itself.

Reception admission. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place at Barnehurst Infant School. Confirm the Reception application route and deadline with the admissions team.

Morning, afternoon and full-time places are offered. The current allocation is 13 spaces for each pattern, although it may change from year to year. Full-time places are offered first to children eligible for the 30-hour entitlement, with the school’s oversubscription criteria applied afterwards.

The universal entitlement for three- and four-year-olds is 570 funded hours annually, usually used as 15 hours weekly for up to 38 weeks. Some children qualify for 30 hours. Families can build up their use of the universal hours rather than taking the full allocation immediately. Full-time attendance has chargeable extras; contact the school for current charges.

Nursery showarounds take place in February and March, with booking through Eventbrite. Mid-year enquiries go to the school office. For Forest School, children need long sleeves, long bottoms and wellington boots; scarves are excluded for safety.