Grange Primary School Nursery Review

Outdoor learning runs through the day at Grange: children can use the outside space during both independent play and activities led by adults. This nursery belongs to Grange Primary School in Church Gardens, Ealing, and children are eligible after their third birthday. It forms part of the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), putting play, communication and growing independence together.

The nursery team comprises a teacher and at least three qualified early years practitioners. The stated adult-to-child ratio is at least 1:13. Morning, afternoon and all-day sessions give families different ways to organise their child's time here.

Learning moves between indoor and outdoor environments, with children pursuing their own activities as well as taking part in adult-directed tasks. Staff plan from the EYFS framework, using curriculum maps and progression frameworks to organise learning. In parent language, this means developing conversation, movement and confidence alongside early number work, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world.

Independence has practical applications. Children learn to manage clothing and toileting, handle equipment and take turns in conversation. Creative learning includes movement, role play and exploring sound and texture. The approach encourages children to explore ideas, keep trying and choose ways to solve problems, so participation matters alongside the finished result.

Letters and Sounds Phase 1 is the nursery's named approach to early sound work. Its focus is listening and speaking, preparing children to hear the separate sounds in words and put them together orally. Suggested activities include making shakers, comparing outdoor sounds and rhyming bingo. These give families concrete examples of the listening skills being developed before formal reading.

In October 2023, Ofsted noted nursery children's enjoyment of songs and stories. Staff also collect observations and achievements in each child's Learning Journey scrapbook, which children can look through in the classroom. Progress is assessed each term, creating a regular opportunity to check development rather than relying on a single end-of-year snapshot.

Meals are prepared on site during term time, and fruit is available for snacks through the day. For children staying longer, food is therefore part of the practical nursery arrangements as well as the learning day.

Families with concerns about learning or development can contact the school to arrange a discussion with the SENCO. Within the school's SEND support arrangements, teachers obtain parental consent before interventions and share progress at least termly. Nursery nurses can lead interventions with support from the class teacher. This gives parents a role in agreeing support and reviewing how it is working.

Specialist support. Local speech and language therapy and occupational therapy services face staffing shortages, with delays likely. Families needing these services should factor waiting times into their planning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Grange. Parents must make a separate Reception application through Ealing Council's normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. Choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the nursery experience itself.

Separately, the school's summer transition arrangements for children with SEND include teacher handovers and sharing support information. Where a child has complex needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan, the new teacher introduces themselves to the child and parents. These arrangements concern continuity of care and learning, rather than an admission advantage.

Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoons run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. All-day nursery runs from 8.45am to 2.45pm, with a charged extension to 3.30pm. Junior Adventures Group provides additional care: breakfast club starts at 7:45am, staff take children to nursery, and after-school care ends at 18:00.

Funded provision covers 15 hours each week for all three- and four-year-olds over 38 weeks. Eligible parents can apply for another 15 hours, bringing the total to 30. Meals and other resources fall outside that entitlement. Contact the school for current charges.

Applications go directly to the school office, reached on 020 8567 1432 or admin@grange.ealing.sch.uk. Nursery clothing combines a Grange sweatshirt and/or a plain black, navy or white T-shirt with black or navy joggers or leggings. Juniper in West Ealing supplies Grange sweatshirts and book bags.