Freshwaters Primary Academy Nursery Review

Daily stories give the Hungry Caterpillars nursery its character. Outdoor movement also featured in its 2024–2025 curriculum. Freshwaters Primary Academy admits nursery children from age 3, placing their first school experiences within the academy’s early years provision in Harlow. The team includes a nursery teacher and a nursery assistant, alongside EYFS co-educators.

Stories provide a daily thread. Children share books at story time, sometimes accompanied by a bag of objects connected with the tale. That gives them something concrete to connect with the words they hear. Traditional tales sit alongside topic books, bringing familiar story patterns and new ideas into the same programme.

Owl Babies introduces the worries children can feel about separating from their parents. Dear Zoo supplies animal vocabulary and repeated language that children can join in with. These are purposeful choices: books become starting points for conversation, participation and talking about feelings, rather than simply something to listen to.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven learning areas. Language, movement and emotional development sit alongside early reading and writing, maths, creative expression and discovering how the world works. Playing, exploring and trying out ideas are part of the approach. Adults observe children’s everyday activities, paying attention to what they can do independently; parents’ perspectives also contribute to assessment.

The 2024–2025 nursery curriculum included sorting objects by size and colour, completing inset puzzles and exploring colour mixing. Practical making involved sandwiches, scissors, glue and tape, followed by making playdough and shaping it into models. These examples connect early thinking with things children can handle and change.

The 2024–2025 nursery curriculum used an outdoor EYFS space for balancing, climbing, jumping, skipping and running. These activities gave physical learning a place in that programme. In January 2025, Ofsted found that children across early years rapidly developed the ability to combine sounds and read straightforward words. That finding applies to early years as a whole, rather than establishing a separate nursery outcome.

Books also support the emotional side of starting nursery. Owl Babies offers a way to discuss separation worries and the reassurance that parents return. It makes an everyday concern something children and adults can talk about together.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school works with families and specialists to identify needs and plans teaching around them. The wider team includes a SENDCo, SEND co-educators and a SEND administrator. Equity provides termly updates about SEND for families across BMAT, giving parents another channel for information.

Milk is provided free during the morning session for pupils younger than five. Children should bring a bottle containing plain water each day. These are straightforward preparations families can make for the nursery day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat that application as a distinct step when planning your child’s schooling.

Preparation for starting school also happens through stories. Starting School is included in the nursery’s summer transition reading, with a focus on discussing the feelings that a new school experience can bring. Emotional preparation and admission remain separate matters.

For nursery enquiries, use the general enquiry form or contact the academy on 01279 454688 or adminfrw@bmatfreshwaters.org.uk.

EYFS children can wear a white polo shirt with no tie. The uniform includes grey trousers, a skirt or pinafore, with a navy V-neck sweatshirt or cardigan. Top Form at The Stow supplies uniform, while items that carry no school logo can be bought from major retailers. Label clothing so lost items can be identified.