The Academy of Woodlands Nursery

Children’s interests shape the early years approach at The Academy of Woodlands, with independence the school’s stated aim. This is nursery provision within a primary school in Gillingham, welcoming children from age two. It gives families an early start within the school setting, while keeping the next admissions decision separate.

At the Ofsted inspection on 25 and 26 March 2025, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The useful detail for parents is the emphasis on staff working together and identifying additional needs early.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach combines children’s interests with the statutory framework and the school’s values. In everyday terms, the school aims for children to become more independent, linking this with its wider goals of listening and speaking clearly, keeping going when something is difficult and recognising what they do well. These are the school’s learning aims within its EYFS approach. The school describes continuous provision as its chosen approach and aims for children to develop independence through it.

This gives the provision a clear educational direction: children’s own interests matter, and independence is an explicit goal. The school also aims to use their learning environments to extend and challenge them. Those aims describe the approach rather than a promise about an individual child’s progress.

The Woodlands Way supplies the wider school context. The school aims to help children communicate clearly, persevere through challenges and recognise their strengths. For a young child, those priorities connect learning with confidence and relationships, rather than treating development solely as academic preparation.

Support for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) begins in early years. In March 2025, this work was largely effective, with specialist staff adapting provision as children’s needs changed. That matters for families whose child may need support to develop over time, rather than a single fixed arrangement.

Close cooperation between early years staff supports children’s learning. Across the school, the SEND team includes a SENCO, a wellbeing mentor and a specialist teaching assistant for speech and language. These are school team roles, rather than a claim that each works with every nursery child. Parents with concerns are directed first to their child’s class teacher, giving families a clear starting point for a conversation about support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child’s intake.

Medway Council administers the school’s September Reception admissions. Keep that application separate from nursery arrangements: joining the nursery is one decision, and applying for Reception is another. Familiarity with the school must not be treated as an allocation of a school place.

Nursery enquiries have a direct route: telephone 01634 336858 or email woodlands.nursery@aow.uk.com. An online enquiry form also includes a Nursery department option, so families can direct their message to the relevant team.

Car access. The Arts Centre car park gate closes between 08:20 and 09:00 and again between 14:45 and 15:30 to safeguard school and nursery children. Pedestrians retain access during those periods. Families travelling by car should factor these restrictions into their journey and collection arrangements.