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Nursery at Barming Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Rhymes, songs and new words give Barming Pre-School a clear language focus. This is Barming Primary School's nursery provision in Belmont Close, Maidstone, with a manager who also serves as lead teacher and an assistant SENCO within the team.
At the school's inspection on 24 and 25 September 2024, Ofsted graded early years provision Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Stories have a place in the children's learning. In September 2024, pre-school children enjoyed stories, practised rhymes and singing, and explored vocabulary. For parents, these are concrete examples of early learning through listening and speaking.
Learning is also personal. An initial profile, completed with parents and the key person, captures a child's strengths and interests. Those details inform the child's care and learning plan, giving staff a starting point that comes from home as well as the setting.
A key person gives families a specific adult to work with. Parents meet that member of staff when their child joins. The pre-school tries to align the child's attendance with the key person's working sessions; a second staff member provides cover when the schedules do not align. That backup matters when attendance patterns change.
Developmental records sit with the key person, who exchanges information regularly with parents. Families can arrange a conversation about progress with either the manager or key person. Written observations, photographs and samples of children's work form an achievement record, so discussions can draw on what the child actually does.
The nursery says familiar relationships help children settle. Its approach starts with getting to know both child and parent, then planning care, well-being and learning together. The assistant SENCO provides a nursery role concerned with special educational needs coordination.
Teaching adaptations. In September 2024, some school lessons did not adjust activities consistently to pupils' needs across subjects. This was a school-wide improvement point, rather than a finding specifically about nursery activities; families should keep their child's individual learning needs central to progress discussions.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child's intake. The route is Kent County Council, online or by post, rather than an application directly to the school. For September 2026 entry, the deadline was Thursday 15 January 2026; that admissions cycle is past.
The practical handover is separate from the allocation of places. When a child leaves, the key person prepares a Record of Transfer Form, discusses it with parents and invites their comments. It then goes to the child's future school, carrying forward a record of achievements wherever the child continues.
Monday to Friday sessions follow three patterns: mornings run from 8:45am to 11:45am, afternoons from 12:20pm to 3:20pm, and the all-day option from 8:45am to 3:20pm. These times took effect in September 2025. The pre-school follows Barming Primary School's term dates, so families can plan around the same calendar.
Funded entitlement covers up to 15 hours over 38 weeks for all three- and four-year-olds and some two-year-olds. Some parents may qualify for 30 hours. Check eligibility through Childcare Choices, and contact the school for current charges. Enquiries can go to office@barming.kent.sch.uk or 01622 726472.
Morning sessions are 8:45am to 11:45am, afternoon sessions are 12:20pm to 3:20pm, and all-day sessions are 8:45am to 3:20pm, Monday to Friday.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through Kent County Council's normal admissions process.
Yes. Parents meet their child's key person when joining, with a backup staff member used when attendance and staffing sessions do not align.
Yes. Barming Pre-School follows the same term dates as Barming Primary School.
The key person completes a Record of Transfer Form, discusses it with parents and seeks their comments before passing it to the child's future school.
