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Nursery at Denton Community Primary School and Nursery
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, rhymes and the first sounds of letters give Denton’s nursery its clearest character: an introduction to reading where adults also help children develop their communication. This is the nursery class within Denton Community Primary School and Nursery on Acacia Road in Newhaven. Nursery has its own class within the school’s structure, making it a distinct starting point in school life.
Early reading begins with planned activities involving rhymes, letter sounds and stories. Ofsted’s inspection on 12 and 13 November 2024 identified children beginning to enjoy reading in Nursery and adults demonstrating effective communication in early years. For parents, the useful detail is the combination: children encounter the sounds and language of books, while staff show them how to communicate.
Learning also takes account of different needs. The school’s teaching arrangements include work in groups and supported teaching pitched to children’s abilities, with teaching assistant time allocated to each class. These are practical ways of adjusting learning rather than expecting children to tackle everything in the same way.
The nursery timetable has a distinctive weekly rhythm. Its day finishes at 3pm, with a 12.30pm finish on Friday. That shorter Friday matters when planning the working week and collection arrangements.
Behaviour routines begin in early years. In November 2024, these helped children understand the school’s expectations, giving daily life a framework that children can learn to recognise.
For a child who needs individual help to access learning, the class teacher works with the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) to create a Support Plan. This records the strategies to be used, and parents are involved in the process. The practical benefit is a shared plan for support, with the family included rather than simply informed after decisions are made.
Outside help can also be discussed with parents. Speech and Language Therapists, Learning Support Services, the Educational Psychologist and Behaviour Support Services are named possible sources of advice. Their involvement depends on the child’s circumstances; it is a route for additional guidance rather than an automatic package for every child.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Denton uses East Sussex County Council’s procedures, and its admissions page directs applications for Reception online through East Sussex School Admissions. Keep that application separate from the nursery paperwork.
Nursery applications go through the school office: telephone 01273 513377 or email office@denton.e-sussex.sch.uk. The office sends families an application form together with the Nursery Admissions Policy, so there is a specific nursery process to follow.
For calendar planning, the term dates page links to East Sussex County Council’s dates and directs families to the school calendar for INSET days. Use both alongside the nursery’s earlier Friday finish when arranging collection and other childcare.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
Contact the school office on 01273 513377 or at office@denton.e-sussex.sch.uk. It will send an application form and the Nursery Admissions Policy.
The nursery day ends at 3pm, with an earlier finish of 12.30pm on Friday.
Planned activities introduce stories, letter sounds and rhymes. The November 2024 inspection also identified effective adult communication in early years.
The class teacher and SENCO can create a Support Plan for a child needing individualised help to access the curriculum. Parents are involved, and possible support from outside agencies is discussed with them.
