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Nursery at Whitehill 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Songs, story play and experimenting with textures give Whitehill’s nursery curriculum its character. This is nursery provision within Whitehill Primary School on Sun Lane in Gravesend, with morning, afternoon and all-day attendance patterns. Families can choose between a shorter session and a day spanning six hours.
In February 2024, Whitehill had two nurseries for three-year-olds. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 27 and 28 February 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach brings learning into activities young children can join in with: listening to rhymes, sharing stories, making things and exploring how objects work. Nursery literacy includes songs and imaginative play based on familiar stories. Animal sets, dolls and dolls houses support children as they develop their own pretend stories, giving language a practical purpose in play.
Little Wandle is the named phonics programme used from Nursery. Phonics means learning to recognise speech sounds and connect them with written letters. Alongside that structured teaching, the nursery curriculum includes enjoying rhymes and talking about stories, so early reading has a spoken-language foundation.
Creative work includes joining materials and investigating textures. Children also explore a simple programmable toy in computing. These activities give them different ways to express an idea or try out how something works.
In February 2024, early years activities were carefully planned, with language prominent throughout the learning environment. Children were eager to participate and worked together. For parents, that combination matters: the curriculum involves both developing vocabulary and learning alongside other children.
For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), support included adapted resources and specialist help accessed through external agencies. The February 2024 inspection found that this provision worked effectively, including in early years. Regular checks on individual needs led quickly to support plans, giving children help responsive to their circumstances.
A nursery teacher forms part of the staff team. Across the school, the support structure also includes a special educational needs coordinator, Inclusion Champions and a Family and Student Support Partner. These are useful roles for families to recognise when discussing additional support.
Attending Whitehill’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Kent County Council’s normal Reception admissions process. For September 2027 entry, applications open on 6 November 2026 and close on 15 January 2027.
Nursery attendance does not confer priority within the oversubscription criteria. Those criteria address care status, qualifying medical or social needs, siblings, qualifying staff-parent circumstances and distance from home. Choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the nursery experience, with the Reception application treated separately.
Morning Nursery (15 Hour) runs from 8:30am to 11:30am; Afternoon Nursery (15 Hour) runs from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. All Day Nursery (30 Hour) runs from 9am to 3pm. Those are the nursery’s drop-off and dismissal times, so the attendance pattern directly shapes the family’s daily schedule.
Separate expression-of-interest forms cover the 15 Hour Nursery and the 30 Hour Nursery. Admissions enquiries go through the main office on 01474 352973.
The February 2024 inspection described two nurseries for three-year-old children.
Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am, afternoon sessions from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and all-day attendance from 9am to 3pm.
Little Wandle is used from Nursery, alongside activities involving songs, rhymes and stories.
No. Attendance does not guarantee a place or confer oversubscription priority. A separate application through Kent County Council is required; the closing date for September 2027 entry is 15 January 2027.
Use the expression-of-interest form for either the 15 Hour Nursery or the 30 Hour Nursery. The main office handles admissions enquiries on 01474 352973.
