Heronsgate Primary School Nursery Review

Picture books, a home corner and planting seeds give Heronsgate’s nursery a practical, story-led character. This is the school’s Foundation Stage 1 provision at the Thamesmead Campus on Whinchat Road. Children can start after turning three, from the following term, subject to space. Nursery places are at Thamesmead; the Royal Arsenal Campus has no nursery provision.

Ofsted’s inspection on 7 and 8 December 2022 graded the school’s early years Outstanding and found that a carefully ordered early reading curriculum developed children’s enjoyment and confidence with books. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The nursery’s 2025–2026 curriculum plan combines stories and imaginative play with movement, counting and practical investigations. Its early years foundation stage learning spans communication, physical skills and relationships alongside literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. For a parent, that means learning through talking, making and trying things out, as well as becoming familiar with nursery routines.

A home corner gives children a setting for familiar make-believe play. Picture books and listening to stories sit alongside exploring sounds and making marks. The plan also includes children performing stories together and using puppets: language becomes something to practise aloud, with other children, rather than only something to listen to.

Physical activity extends beyond the classroom. Early years children have outdoor learning and play opportunities, while the nursery plan includes obstacle courses, digging and seed planting. These activities connect movement with handling tools and following instructions. Number songs, capacity exploration and shape puzzles give mathematical ideas a practical form too.

Independence is part of the learning. The plan includes children managing their coats, practising with cutlery and developing toileting routines. Small daily tasks count here.

Each newcomer gets a separate start date, allowing staff to focus on that child’s adjustment to nursery. Preparation includes a conversation about development between parents and teachers, plus an invitation to explore the nursery beforehand. Staff may arrange to visit the family at home if circumstances allow.

Daily fruit and milk are provided in early years classes. Families are asked to supply a reusable water bottle each day, and the school’s snack guidance excludes nuts. This makes snack time part of the everyday care routine, alongside the nursery curriculum’s attention to toileting and using cutlery.

Children joining nursery are assessed during their first six weeks to identify development that may need additional help. Under the school’s SEND policy, support plans are shared and reviewed with parents at least each term when needed. For children with SEND, settling arrangements may be adjusted, and a home–school contact book can be used where agreed useful. Parents can arrange a conversation with the class teacher through the office or contact the SENDCo about support.

A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place at Heronsgate. Parents must make a separate application through Royal Greenwich admissions. Nursery staff can help families with that application, but the two processes remain separate.

Preparation for the change also has its own place in the nursery curriculum. The 2025–2026 plan included reflecting on children’s nursery experiences, discussing worries and looking ahead to Reception, together with making a nursery leaving book. These activities give children ways to talk about the change. They are transition support, not an admissions advantage.

The Autumn 2025 nursery procedure limits provision to part-time places of 15 hours, with morning or afternoon sessions allocated according to vacancies because of the waiting list. Families therefore need to plan around the session offered rather than assume they can choose either pattern.

Request an application form from the school office, in person or through sao@heronsgate.greenwich.sch.uk. The Thamesmead office can also be reached on 020 8317 0809. It operates during school terms; its contact form has a five-working-day reply aim, excluding holidays. Regular nursery attendance is expected, so the offered session needs to fit the family’s routine consistently.