James Dixon Primary School Nursery Review

Weekly Forest School gives James Dixon’s preschool a clear outdoor thread. Alongside classroom play and conversation, children have a regular opportunity to explore a natural setting throughout the academic year. This is the school’s own nursery provision on William Booth Road in Anerley, with 26 places per session.

Places are for children aged 3 and 4, normally starting in the term following their third birthday. Children eligible for Time for Twos or working 2 year old funding can join on their third birthday. That distinction matters when planning a start date: the funding route affects when a child can begin.

Curiosity and play shape the early years approach. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines activities children choose with learning directed by adults. In everyday terms, children have room to follow an interest while staff use conversation and focused activities to extend their ideas. The school aims to make those first experiences enjoyable and to help children feel comfortable with the adults around them.

Language receives deliberate attention. Phonics starts in preschool using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, while adults develop speaking and listening alongside early reading. Across the EYFS, White Rose Maths supports work on numbers, patterns, shapes and measurement. Children revisit learning through play and explore mathematical ideas in practical contexts, connecting teaching with things they can investigate themselves.

JD Forest School takes nursery children outdoors once a week across the academic year. Its practical exploration and imaginative play give the outdoor part of the week a defined place in the routine. The forest-school area is a concrete extension of classroom learning.

At the June 2024 inspection, early years activities engaged children, strengthened their speech and encouraged them to tackle tasks independently. The curriculum covered the relevant learning areas. Those findings give parents a useful picture of how the play and teaching worked together at that point.

Lunch is a family responsibility for children attending full time: parents must send a healthy packed lunch containing no nuts. Preparing it is part of the daily routine, rather than relying on a school meal for the longer preschool session.

Support for families also sits within the wider school. A Family Liaison Officer helps children facing bereavement, family separation, illness or other changes that can affect learning. Families needing assistance with physical access can contact the office; a gentle slope leads to the main office, and a wheelchair lift provides access to the hall. These are practical arrangements for involving families in school life.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through the London Borough of Bromley using its application form, by the normal Reception deadline. Choosing the preschool and applying for school entry are separate decisions.

Families whose child has an Education, Health and Care Plan should discuss their preferred school with their SEN Caseworker, who explains the next steps.

The universal 15-hour offer consists of five morning sessions, 08:30–11:30, or five afternoon sessions, 12:15–15:15. For eligible working parents, the extended funded offer provides 30 hours through five sessions running 08:30–14:30. These patterns give families a choice between a shorter daily session and a longer day.

Working parents can pay to extend the day until 15:15. Additional sessions and late collection also attract charges; contact the school for current charges. Preschool enquiries and requests for a visit go to jdp-preschool@swale.at. Applications are made directly to the school, with a Parent Contract also completed and emailed to the preschool team.