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Nursery at Goldstone 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A walk to the post box can become a geography lesson at Little Owls. This is Goldstone Primary School’s nursery in Hove, where children begin exploring their immediate surroundings through observation and conversation. Familiar places become material for learning.
Little Owls belongs to the school’s Foundation Stage, which covers nursery and Reception together and serves children aged three to five. Its curriculum combines activities directed by adults with play chosen by children, giving both planned learning and children’s own interests a place in the day.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework. In parent language, this means learning to communicate, move and manage feelings alongside early reading, number work, creative expression and discovering how the world works. Development Matters guides planning, with themes organised by term or half term. Teachers adjust those plans as children’s interests and learning needs change.
Indoor and outdoor provision both support play chosen by children. Adult-led literacy and maths activities sit alongside these opportunities, so the curriculum has structure while leaving room for exploration. Staff observe children and use what they learn to plan the next steps; EvidenceMe is among the methods used to record learning experiences.
Stories also have a concrete place here. In July 2023, Ofsted described nursery children enjoying books and responding enthusiastically to a letter sent by a local author. Little Owls also joined the school’s Maths Through Stories Day in 2025, based on How Many Jelly Beans? This gives families examples of books being used for both enjoyment and mathematical exploration.
Two teachers divide the nursery teaching week, with a nursery nurse working from Monday to Thursday and a teaching assistant on Friday. That is a specific team pattern for parents to understand when building relationships with the adults caring for their child.
Communication includes an end-of-summer report for nursery parents, with an opportunity to discuss the assessment with the teacher. Learning records include a Learning journal, Year Book and Writing Book, giving families something tangible to revisit with their child. For discussions about special needs or safeguarding, the school’s contact route is through its SENCO and designated safeguarding teacher.
Attending Little Owls does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal council admissions process. Goldstone’s admissions page identifies Brighton & Hove Council as responsible for entry at age four and directs families to its school admissions guidance.
Admissions priority. The arrangements described for 2025/2026 do not include nursery attendance among the priority categories. Families should treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.
Transition activities address familiarity rather than entitlement. Little Owls and Reception staff exchange information about children, while the wider programme includes a Teddy Bear’s Picnic, a gathering in Hove Park and booklets showing staff and learning spaces. These give children and parents concrete ways to get to know the next setting.
Little Owls has its own telephone contact: 01273 077108. General enquiries can also go to admin@goldstoneprimary.co.uk. The nursery sits at Goldstone Primary School on Laburnum Avenue, Hove, BN3 7JW.
Appointments to look around the school can be arranged through the school office on 01273 077110, giving families a direct route to a school visit.
It follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, using Development Matters to guide planning. Adult-led activities are combined with play chosen by children indoors and outdoors.
No. Reception requires a separate council application. Nursery attendance is not a priority category in the arrangements described for 2025/2026.
Nursery parents receive a report at the end of the summer term and can discuss it with the teacher. Children’s learning is also recorded in a Learning journal, Year Book and Writing Book.
Nursery and Reception staff share information about children. The transition programme also includes picnics and photographic booklets introducing staff and learning spaces.
Call the nursery on 01273 077108. General school enquiries can be emailed to admin@goldstoneprimary.co.uk.
