Newtons Primary School Nursery Review

From Once Upon A Time to Starry Night, stories and themed learning give Newtons’ nursery its character. The provision sits within the Foundation Stage at Newtons Primary School on Lowen Road in Rainham. It accommodates 36 children, with morning, afternoon and all-day options. Families can choose between a shorter session and a day that spans both halves of the school timetable.

Cornerstones supplies the topic-based approach, with units lasting a half term. Nursery themes include Me and Community, Once Upon A Time and Starry Night, followed later by Sunshine and Sunflowers and Big Wide World. These give parents concrete starting points for conversations about learning, rather than just a list of subjects.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework. In parent terms, the emphasis brings early reading, writing and mathematics together with broader development. Ofsted’s October 2024 inspection described early years activities that supported learning across its different areas, with songs, stories and rhymes helping children acquire vocabulary and recognise sounds. Language runs through the learning.

Movement has its own place: PE lessons begin in nursery and work on basic movement skills and teamwork. The nursery’s activities also have a practical strand. Its 2021/2022 gallery records baking, a fire engine visit and a Little City Visit. These are past examples of learning experiences, rather than a promise of the same programme for a new intake.

Learning depth. The October 2024 inspection identified a school-wide need to give pupils more opportunities to think further about their learning and consolidate understanding. This was a concern across the school, rather than a finding assigned specifically to nursery.

In October 2024, early years adults built caring relationships with children, alongside children becoming independent quickly. That combination matters for a child beginning to manage activities and routines away from home.

Preparation materials include the Nursery Welcome Pack, Nursery Transition Booklet and Getting Ready for School checklist. They give families resources to use before starting. For communication once a child attends, parents can contact the nursery teacher through yearn@newtons.havering.sch.uk; the weekly school newsletter covers events, closures and term dates.

Additional needs have a direct contact route through the SENCO team at SEND@newtons.havering.sch.uk. The school also links families to the Havering Local Offer for information about local support. Its Cool Milk scheme provides a daily carton of semi-skimmed milk after registration, free for children under five. Registration by Tuesday starts provision the following week.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. The nursery keeps its own application list, while families must apply separately for Reception through their home local authority. Havering residents use www.eadmissions.org.uk. Havering Council sets the admissions criteria and decides allocations for this community school.

Treat the two applications as separate commitments: a nursery offer is not a Reception offer. The school provides a Reception Transition Booklet and Welcome to Reception Pack for preparation; these resources are separate from the allocation process.

Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am, afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and the all-day option from 8:30am to 3:30pm. All-day charges. An additional charge applies to the all-day option. Refer to the school for current charges before choosing that pattern.

The nursery page links to its application form. General enquiries go to office@newtons.havering.sch.uk or 01708 558613, with a contact form also provided. This gives families a direct route to begin the nursery application.