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Nursery at Longwood Primary Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play provides the starting point at Longwood's nursery, with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shaping experiences suited to children's development. This is the school's own nursery on Paringdon Road in Harlow, with 26 places. Children can start from the term following their third birthday, subject to places, funding and the waiting list; provision extends to the September before their fifth birthday.
Three-hour morning and afternoon sessions give the nursery its basic shape. The EYFS approach means children learn through play experiences matched to their stage of development, rather than simply following a timetable of school subjects.
In April 2023, Ofsted identified a nursery focus on rhymes and listening to sounds, giving children foundations for later phonics learning. Across early years, adults demonstrated clear questions and answers and helped children develop social interaction. Counting received regular practice too: children explored different ways to make numbers and used language to compare quantities. These are practical foundations for expressing ideas, joining conversations and understanding number.
Before a child starts, a home visit gives staff a chance to meet them in familiar surroundings. A start date follows that visit, including for children joining partway through a term.
For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school SENCo is a contact for families. Trust support includes an educational psychologist, a qualified speech and language therapist and three specialist teachers covering autism and learning difficulties and disabilities. This gives staff access to expertise when adapting children's learning.
Termly One Plan meetings bring parents, staff and relevant agencies together, with the child involved where possible. Support is reviewed and adjusted through the year. Medical needs can be addressed through an Individual Health Care Plan developed with parents, staff and appropriate health professionals.
Oversight. In April 2023, school improvement priorities and leaders' checks needed greater precision, limiting how clearly leaders could assess the effect of their actions. This was a school-level concern, relevant to how provision is monitored.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under Longwood's 2027/28 admission criteria. Families must make a separate application, naming Longwood on the common application form submitted to their home local authority. For Essex applications, the application window runs from November to January.
Transition support is a separate matter. Children are encouraged to visit their new class teacher, with the number of sessions adjusted to individual need. For children with SEND, families and staff discuss the move through One Plan meetings. Familiarity can support the change of class; it does not alter the admissions decision.
Funded provision covers 15 hours, or 30 hours with a validated eligibility code. Families seeking a 15-hour place can express a morning or afternoon preference, but the school decides which session to offer.
At Longwood, extra childcare hours can be purchased only when a child already uses their full 15 or 30 funded hours. These additional places depend on availability and are allocated in order of requests. Contact the nursery about these options and current charges.
School tours take place on Tuesdays at 9:15am and can be booked through the office on 01279 866155 or office@longwood.netacademies.net. This offers families a practical way to see the school before deciding.
The earliest start is the term after their third birthday, subject to places, funding and the waiting list.
There is a three-hour morning session and a three-hour afternoon session. For a 15-hour place, parents can state a preference, but the school decides the allocation.
Yes, subject to availability and only if your child already accesses their full 15 or 30 funded hours. Additional places are allocated in order of requests; contact the nursery for options and current charges.
No. It does not guarantee a place or confer priority under the 2027/28 criteria. A separate application through the normal local-authority route is required.
Contact your child's teacher or arrange a meeting with the school SENCo through the office. Parents participate in termly One Plan meetings to discuss support and next steps.
