Tymberwood Academy Nursery Review

Woods, muddy kitchen play and trikes give Tymberwood Academy’s nursery mornings an outdoor thread. Children can move freely into the nursery garden, while activities shaped around their interests sit alongside teaching of sounds and number facts. Play and early learning share the session.

This is the school’s own nursery provision, taking children from the term after their third birthday. It sits within Tymberwood Academy on Cerne Road in Gravesend. A waiting list operates, so families considering a place have a reason to enquire early.

The morning combines exploration chosen by children with focused activities led by teachers. In the garden, children can investigate the woods, use the kitchen for muddy play and ride trikes. That gives outdoor play several different purposes: investigating, imaginative activity and movement, rather than simply a break from indoor learning.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning includes planned steps across its areas of learning. Here, sound work and number facts give children an introduction to reading and maths within a morning that also leaves room for their interests. Tymberwood uses Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised for phonics, with daily teaching in early years.

Books also connect nursery and home. Family Reading Sessions take place twice per week, and the nursery places emphasis on picture books and nursery rhymes. The Tymberwood 11B411 Reading Challenge includes Nursery: children have 11 books to work through, a bookmark for recording completed titles and a certificate when they finish. It gives families a concrete shared reading activity.

In March 2022, early-years children encountered books that expanded their vocabulary and helped their language development. Children in Nursery followed established routines, explored with friends and practised cooperation and taking turns. These are useful foundations for participating in a group as well as learning independently.

Stay and Play gives parents time to join children’s activities, and sessions have been lengthened to allow more shared play. Families can also book a stay and play nursery tour and meet the Nursery Team, giving them a practical introduction to the provision.

For additional needs, the school’s support process includes monitoring progress, identifying barriers and arranging targeted help. Depending on a child’s needs, outside involvement may include a Speech and Language Therapist or an Occupational Therapist. The SEND coordinator can be contacted through the school office, providing a route for discussing support.

Children registered for the school milk scheme receive chilled semi-skimmed milk in their classroom each day. Milk is free for under-fives; registration is required.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Kent County Council and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am, five days a week. The nursery provides information about 15 hours of free childcare for children aged three and four. This is a morning pattern, so its finish time matters when planning the rest of the day.

The nursery door closes at 8:40am, after which children are marked late. Staff may need time to answer because they are caring for children. Nursery enquiries can be made through the enquiry form or the school office on 01474 361193 or office@tymberwoodacademy.org.uk; tour dates are arranged through the office.