Hoxton Garden Primary Nursery

Stories, counting and friendships give Hoxton Garden’s nursery its focus. Play is the starting point, with phonics and physical activity alongside early number work. This is the school’s nursery provision on Ivy Street, serving children aged three and four, rather than a separate childcare setting.

Bluebell is the nursery class. Its staffing includes a class teacher, a Nursery Education Officer and teaching assistant support, placing the provision within the school’s teaching and care structure.

Three session patterns shape the day: mornings, afternoons and full-time attendance. Morning children have fruit time between 10.15am and 10.30am; for children staying full time, the lunch period runs from 11.45am to 1.30pm. These routines give families concrete points around which to plan the day.

Early learning combines recognising numbers and counting with stories, phonics, movement and learning to play alongside other children. In parent terms, the emphasis is on building the beginnings of literacy and maths while developing social and physical skills. The nursery describes play as the way children prepare for later learning, so making friends belongs alongside learning sounds and numbers.

The wider early years provision also uses imaginative topics. In June 2026, superhero training involved children tackling challenges together and avoiding pretend kryptonite stones. That example brings movement and cooperation into the same activity.

Preparing for nursery starts with manageable habits at home. Families are encouraged to practise independent dressing, simple instructions and a predictable routine, and to talk about new friends and activities. These are practical ways to make the change more familiar to a young child.

Parents can arrange a teacher meeting each term and receive a progress report termly. That gives families a regular opportunity to discuss learning rather than relying only on informal conversations. Children attending full time are offered school meals free of charge.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), early years entry assessments and conversations with parents help establish needs from the start. Class teachers work with the SENCo, and individual education plan targets are reviewed termly. Physical access. Hoxton Garden has a sloping office entrance and disabled toilets, but no lift. Families whose child needs step-free access should take that building constraint into account.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Hackney’s admissions process and meet the normal deadline for their child’s entry year. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Once a Reception offer has been accepted, families are invited to an induction meeting towards the end of June. Home visits by the teaching team follow in September. These arrangements introduce routines and staff; they do not secure admission.

Morning sessions run from 8.55am to 11.55am, afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, and full-time attendance from 8.55am to 3.30pm. Nursery applications go directly to the school, with rolling entry and eligibility to start the day after a child’s third birthday.

Families eligible for 30 hours of childcare must provide their 11 digit eligibility code. Those who are not eligible but want full-time attendance can pay for a top-up place, after discussing it with the office before applying. Contact the school for current charges.

Uniform is expected for all children. The clothing includes grey bottoms, a white shirt or polo, and an emerald green sweatshirt or cardigan; Mapac supplies the uniform. To enquire, email AdminHG@vs.hackney.sch.uk. Tours take approximately 30 minutes, with Monday 9.30am and Wednesday 2pm options, giving parents time to ask questions before choosing.