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Nursery at Lawn 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Child-led play, Forest Schools and a class growing bed give Bonsai Class its character. This is Lawn Primary School’s nursery for three- and four-year-olds in Northfleet, with entry possible immediately after a third birthday, subject to space. It forms part of the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage, with half-day places and a limited number of places for the 30-hour offer.
Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 1 and 2 July 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Play provides the starting point for teaching. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven areas of development through purposeful play, with adults responding to children’s interests and needs. Lawn uses Planning in the Moment: staff watch what children are doing, identify an opportunity to extend their understanding and teach within that activity. A child’s chosen play can therefore shape the next learning conversation.
Exploration takes place outside as well as indoors. Forest Schools is offered to early years children, and each class has a growing bed where fruit and vegetables are raised for cooking activities. These give children practical ways to explore nature and connect growing with food.
In July 2025, early years adults joined children’s play to develop their learning. Songs and rhymes helped build spoken language, while activities reinforced mathematical understanding. Children achieved well and built positive relationships with their peers. The emphasis is on learning through interaction, with adults taking an active part.
Preparation starts before the first session. During the summer term, staff work with families taking nursery places; depending on circumstances, this may involve a home visit or meeting the child in their existing early years setting. Children are encouraged to visit before starting, with further visits encouraged for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Familiarity can build gradually.
Communication continues through ClassDojo, where Bonsai families receive activity updates, announcements, and photographs or videos in their child’s Portfolio. Parents can message the teacher directly or speak after the children have been dismissed. This gives families a practical connection between sessions.
Early years staff use Makaton with children who do not communicate through speech. For additional needs, the school’s assess, plan, do, review process involves families in choosing strategies and checking their effect. The school has accessible toilets but is not fully wheelchair accessible, so physical access needs careful consideration.
Children staying for lunch can have a charged hot meal or bring food from home. Under-fives can also receive free milk through COOL MILK after registration.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception process. For September 2026 entry, applications were online through Kent’s primary admissions service at www.kent.gov.uk/primaryadmissions, with a deadline of 15 January 2026. That cycle is now past.
For children with significant SEND moving between classes, transition planning includes sharing individual plans with the next teacher and meeting that teacher before the school year ends. This supports continuity of care and learning; it is separate from the allocation of a Reception place.
Sessions run during term time: mornings are 8:30am to 11:30am and afternoons 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Eligible families can access the 30-hour pattern from 8:30am to 3:15pm, subject to availability. The 45-minute lunch period is unfunded and charged separately, so the funded offer does not cover the entire stay.
Families using the extended offer submit an eligibility code to the office and sign a Parent Agreement. Invoices are monthly, payment is required beforehand, and charges apply unless 24 hours’ notice is given. Contact the school for current charges.
Collect a nursery admission pack from the office or register interest online. Tours can be booked by telephone, email or an enquiry form, giving families an opportunity to see the learning spaces and ask questions.
Children can join immediately after their third birthday, subject to space. The nursery caters for three- and four-year-olds.
Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am; afternoon sessions run from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. The eligible 30-hour offer runs from 8:30am to 3:15pm during term time.
Yes. The extended day includes a separately charged, unfunded lunch period. A hot meal also carries a charge, or children can bring a packed lunch. Contact the school for current charges.
Bonsai Class uses ClassDojo for messages, activity updates, announcements and photographs or videos of learning. Parents can also speak with the teacher after children have been dismissed.
No. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place.
