Towers Infant School Nursery Review

Hummingbird Pre-School gives Towers Infant School’s nursery provision its own identity. It has a pre-school handbook, an application form and curriculum information for families, while Hummingbird Class appears within the infant school’s staffing structure. The setting sits on Osborne Road in Hornchurch.

Language and familiar routines are the clearest strengths of the early years provision. Ofsted’s May 2026 inspection graded early years Strong standard, a judgement covering the school’s early years rather than a separate nursery rating. For parents, the useful detail is how adults help children talk, concentrate and become accustomed to learning together.

Conversation does real work here. In May 2026, adult exchanges with children extended vocabulary and language, giving children more ways to express themselves and understand their learning. Early writing also receives attention from the beginning: adults respond to children’s independent attempts so that useful habits develop early.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for this provision. Its practical emphasis here includes communication, early literacy and learning alongside other children. Hummingbird’s parent information includes Planning in the moment, alongside a pre-school curriculum map. These give families specific starting points for understanding the nursery’s approach.

Within the early years environment, children maintained attention and worked with resources arranged to support their learning. Established routines helped even the youngest settle promptly at the start of the day. Predictability matters: children can turn their attention to an activity rather than continually working out what happens next.

Friends of Towers Fundraising Association has funded EYFS play sheds and Big Cat books, as well as a storytelling chair and sensory garden across the federation. These are concrete additions to the learning environment, although the federation-wide facilities should be distinguished from Hummingbird’s own classroom resources.

Relationships with families begin before children start. In May 2026, early years parents valued ongoing communication, and provision was adjusted for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This connects family knowledge with the support children receive during their day.

Pre-school newsletters provide another contact point between home and nursery. The school’s SENDCo can be reached through the office, and its Inclusion Hub includes speech and language resources, Makaton support and materials about emotional literacy. These give families practical ways to continue support at home.

For food-related administration, the school has a Cool Milk registration route and a School Dinners page with menu and allergen information. These are useful resources for organising milk and checking catering information.

Attending Hummingbird does not guarantee a place in Towers Infant School’s Reception. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. The school directs applications to Havering Schools Admissions; the local authority allocates places. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Nursery home time is 15:30. Collection arrangements also require parents to tell the school if someone else will collect their child; permission is needed before a child is released to another person.

The pre-school page provides an application form. General enquiries go to the infant school office on 01708 447407 or office@towersinfant.co.uk. Visits to the schools can be arranged by appointment through their offices, giving families a direct way to see the setting before deciding.