Woodside Academy Nursery Review

Questions and conversation give Woodside Academy’s early years provision its clearest character. In June 2024, adults supported children’s exploration through prompts and questions, while children used relevant vocabulary to describe their activities. That makes explaining an idea part of the learning itself.

The nursery belongs to Woodside Academy in Little Thurrock, Grays. It has a specific accessibility feature of its own: an accessible toilet with a shower for younger children. This provides a practical facility within the nursery for children who need it.

Adult involvement is the strongest evidenced feature of the learning day. At the inspection on 11 and 12 June 2024, early years staff worked skilfully beside children, using questions to extend their exploration. Children could explain their activities using appropriate words. For parents, the useful distinction is that adults helped children think and talk about their learning, rather than simply complete an activity.

Effort and curiosity also featured in the June 2024 findings: children in early years tried hard and showed an appetite for finding out more. These observations give a concrete picture of children engaging with learning and adults helping them express their understanding.

Curriculum planning. The same inspection identified weaknesses across some school subjects: learning was not broken down precisely enough, affecting teaching consistency and recall. Governors also needed a clearer understanding of how the curriculum was working. These were school-level concerns, rather than findings assigned specifically to the nursery, but they matter to families considering the wider school setting.

Parents have a role in the school’s approach to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The school involves families in assessment and expects their participation in supporting their child. This makes the parent’s knowledge of their child part of the support process.

Additional help often comes through a nominated teaching assistant, commonly working with a group. The school explains that this arrangement aims to preserve social learning and reduce dependence on an adult. Discussing how that approach fits an individual child’s needs is more useful than assuming support will take one particular form.

Accessibility includes the nursery’s toilet and shower, alongside entrances with no steps. Woodside does not have a SEN hub. Families considering specialist provision should keep that distinction in mind: school SEND support and a specialist hub are different arrangements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Reception admissions information is provided through Thurrock Council.

Keep that application separate from the nursery relationship. A child’s familiarity with the school does not remove the need to apply again, and families should not treat a nursery place as a secured place for the following stage.

For the September 2026 nursery intake, applications have closed. The school invites waiting-list applications using a completed form, returned either to the office or to admissions@woodsideacademy.org. This is a waiting-list route for that intake, rather than an open application round.

The school office can be reached on 01375 372513. Its opening hours are 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday during term time. An admissions officer forms part of the school team, giving families a specific role to contact about their application.