Ashburnham Community School Nursery Review

A separate nursery base, with school life just across the playground: that is Ashburnham’s defining arrangement. Children aged three and four have their own indoor and outdoor classrooms, while joining older children for parts of the day. This gives the nursery a distinct home within Ashburnham Community School in Chelsea.

Early years provision received a Good judgement at Ofsted’s inspection on 28 and 29 January 2025. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The clearest picture of its character comes from small daily routines: singing between activities, experimenting with marks and learning to recognise emotions.

Language runs through the day. In January 2025, familiar songs marked the start of learning and changes between activities in early years. Repeated words and tunes helped children who were new to the setting understand routines. For a young child, those musical cues make the next step easier to recognise.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the starting point for the Fox Federation’s curriculum progression. Here, its practical beginnings include nursery children trying different materials to make marks. This is early drawing and writing through exploration, giving children something concrete to do as they develop control and expression. Vocabulary receives deliberate attention from the beginning of early years.

Space extends beyond the nursery classrooms. Children use the main hall and playground for PE, and a full-time specialist PE teacher teaches pupils from nursery upwards. Indoor activity and outdoor movement therefore have identified places in the day. The nursery’s own outdoor classroom also gives learning a setting beyond its indoor base.

Assessment and practice. The January 2025 inspection identified a school-wide weakness in checking understanding in some subjects before introducing harder work. Some pupils needed more practice with foundational ideas. This was a school-wide concern, rather than a finding specifically attributed to nursery children.

Recognising feelings is part of early learning here. In January 2025, children were taught to consider their emotions before learning, and daily toothbrushing in early years made dental care a regular habit. These are concrete care routines alongside classroom activity.

Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities includes early years. At the January 2025 inspection, staff recognised needs appropriately, worked with families and outside agencies, and reviewed additional interventions. This gives parents a picture of support being adjusted around the child, with follow-up rather than a one-off response. Parents can contact the SENCO through the school office.

Lunch brings nursery children together with Reception children for eating and play. That shared part of the day provides contact with children beyond the nursery group. For communication at home, School Gateway allows parents to receive messages and send replies. Online parent workshops include an introduction to phonics and Phase 1 material.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through eadmissions; the school gives the deadline as mid January, with decisions communicated in April. Treat this as a separate application to plan for while your child attends nursery.

Eating and playing with Reception children creates familiarity with the next age group. That everyday contact is useful preparation, but it does not establish an admissions advantage.

A notice for September 2023 advertised free full-time nursery places. Keep that dated offer distinct from the arrangements for your child’s intended intake.

Nursery uniform is included on the school’s uniform page. For enquiries, contact reception@ashprimary.co.uk, telephone 0207 352 5740, or use the school’s contact form. School tours take place throughout the year, giving families an opportunity to see the nursery’s position within the wider site.