Bluebells Nursery at Brooklands Primary School

Weekly Forest School and resources children can find for themselves give Bluebells its practical character: play, exploration and growing independence. This is Brooklands Primary School’s nursery in Blackheath, with Little Bluebells for children aged two and three and Bluebells for those aged three and four. The two groups provide a progression within the nursery before the next school stage.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 24 and 25 January 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school. Children were getting a positive beginning, with an engaging environment and routines that established expectations early.

Play takes a substantial share of the day. Children spend extended periods choosing activities within planned provision, alongside adult-led groups and class sessions. Resources are labelled and arranged for children to retrieve independently. There is room indoors and outdoors for floor activities, table work and different group sizes, so learning need not happen in one position or one format.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together physical development, language and communication, and social and emotional learning with early literacy, mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world. Activities can develop several of these skills together. Adults join children’s play to develop conversation and thinking rather than simply supervise it.

Forest School happens weekly in the school grounds with a trained leader. Children investigate the natural surroundings and pursue interests at their own pace. Trees and shrubs give that exploration a physical setting. Nursery preparation for phonics includes listening for environmental sounds, sound-recognition games, rhymes and stories: the emphasis is on hearing and talking before formal word reading.

Brooklands also works on executive functions from early years. Adults model how to plan play, manage feelings and solve problems, then encourage children to talk about their choices and next steps. These are everyday skills for participating in learning. In January 2024, curriculum planning from early years identified specific knowledge, skills and vocabulary; some newer parts of the school’s curriculum still needed further embedding to deepen understanding and longer-term recall.

Each child has a key person, drawn from the teacher or Early Years Practitioners. Allocation can reflect an existing family relationship, intervention work or the adult a child connects with while settling. That gives families a particular adult to approach about their child.

Home visits include nursery families, and new starters have individually communicated transition and staggered-start arrangements. Staff also work with parents over daily settling. Tapestry provides a secure online learning record with photographs, observations and comments; parents can contribute experiences from home as well as follow nursery activities.

Morning and afternoon sessions include healthy snacks. Full-day children receive a hot lunch, with milk and water accessible during the day. Dietary requirements can be accommodated; parents should tell staff early so suitable plans can be drawn up.

SEND support includes a curriculum adapted to individual needs and parental involvement in planning provision. Where appropriate, Brooklands works with outside professionals, including Greenwich services. This makes family knowledge part of the support process.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for a primary school place through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their entry year. Treat that application as a separate task, even if your child already attends Bluebells.

Transition and staggered-start arrangements for new Reception children are communicated individually. These concern settling into school; they do not secure admission.

Morning nursery runs from 8:45am to 11:45am, afternoon from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and the full day from 8:45am to 3:30pm. Little Bluebells offers funded places for eligible Together for twos children or eligible working parents using 30-hour funding. For three-year-olds, universal funding supports part-time 15-hour places, while eligible working parents can use 30-hour funding for full-time places. Paid options also exist; contact the school for current charges.

Term-time breakfast and after-school clubs accept nursery children. Bookings follow a regular weekly pattern, arranged each term; occasional bookings depend on leadership agreement and staffing. Enquiries go to info@brooklands-maritime.org or 020 8852 8210. Tours take place fortnightly on Tuesdays at 9:30am.

There is no uniform. Clothes should be practical and labelled, with covered shoulders, no jewellery and shoes secured around the heel. Forest School requires long trousers, clothing suited to the weather and wellies.