Cranbrook Primary School Nursery

Learning through play and children’s own interests give Cranbrook’s nursery its character. This is the school’s nursery on The Drive in Ilford, with 78 places across two sessions, each accommodating 39 children. Children begin in the term following their third birthday. The emphasis is on learning through play, with communication central to the early years approach.

Children have a say in what they explore. Staff use their interests and existing knowledge to choose topics, combining activities led by adults with play that children direct themselves. This gives children room to pursue an idea while teachers introduce new learning. Equality and Kindness, alongside Resilience and Respect, shape those topics.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) organises learning into seven areas. Cranbrook gives particular emphasis to talking and understanding language, physical development, and children’s emotional and social development. In everyday terms, the approach brings learning to communicate together with learning to play, cooperate and become more independent. The nursery aims to develop curiosity and perseverance through activities that reflect individual interests.

At the May 2022 inspection, reading areas provided a concrete focus for language work: nursery children enjoyed rhymes and songs, heard stories and brought them to life through acting. Staff trained in supporting spoken language helped children develop their speech. Stories therefore involved participation as well as listening, giving children opportunities to practise expressing themselves.

Family involvement is part of the early years approach. Cranbrook aims to work alongside parents as the people who first help their children learn, taking account of each child’s interests and needs. That makes the relationship between home and nursery relevant to how activities are planned.

Support for additional needs begins with the school’s initial conversations with families. Cranbrook identifies needs early, monitors children’s progress and works with health professionals. Its qualified SENCo arranges training for teachers and support staff, drawing on a Speech Therapist and Educational Psychologist when needed. Parents seeking further support can email their child’s class teacher; the Inclusion Team then contacts them. This gives families a defined route for raising concerns about learning or communication.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Redbridge’s online admissions route, www.redbridge.gov.uk/eadmissions. The application window runs from 1 September to 15 January, with 15 January the deadline. Treat that application as a separate task, even while your child is attending Cranbrook’s nursery.

Part-time nursery places involve five sessions each week, subject to a place becoming free. Cranbrook also offers a 30-hour placement for children eligible for full-day funding; eligibility depends on family income and requires an application. These are different attendance arrangements with different conditions.

Nursery applications go directly to the school. Families can collect a waiting-list form from the office and return it with a birth certificate and/or passport, plus three address proofs dated within the preceding three months. For enquiries, contact admin.cranbrookprimary@redbridge.gov.uk or call 020 8518 2562. Administrators or the senior leadership team handle general queries.