First Leap Nursery at Foreland Fields School

Specialist assessment alongside a mainstream nursery place gives First Leap its distinctive purpose. The nursery at Foreland Fields School supports younger children with identified special needs; in May 2023, most attended through a dual placement, combining the school's specialist assessment provision with a mainstream setting. For families, that means considering how the two placements work together, rather than viewing First Leap simply as an alternative nursery.

The school aims to treat children as individuals with educational, care, medical, emotional and social needs. Its stated ambition is for children to become as independent as possible, with education adapted to the individual. That gives parents a useful focus for discussions about their child's placement: the support needed now and the independence they hope to build.

Assessment is a defining part of the nursery's role. The dual-placement model brings specialist provision into a child's experience alongside their mainstream setting. These are complementary parts of the arrangement, so coordination between settings matters to the family.

At school level, lunchtime is treated as learning time, with children encouraged to practise social skills and doing things for themselves. Extra staff support supervision during lunch. This makes everyday care part of the educational day, rather than treating learning as something confined to classroom activities.

Early reading also deserves attention. In May 2023, delivery of the school's new phonics programme and use of its supporting resources were inconsistent, including the books used for early reading. Further resources, training and staff support were required across the school's phases. Reading support. Families should keep this dated concern in mind when discussing how early reading fits their child's needs.

Starting school can bring additional anxiety for a child with complex special educational needs or disabilities. Ofsted's inspection on 10 and 11 May 2023 found that early years children received effective support and that staff recognised the extra anxieties associated with this transition. That is a useful finding for families weighing the emotional demands of a specialist placement alongside its educational purpose.

Practical care includes preparation for changes of clothing. Spare clothes are useful where a child may wet or soil themselves. The school asks families to send spare pads or nappies for children who use them. Having those supplies ready supports care during the day.

Attending First Leap does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery attendance and a subsequent school placement are separate decisions: families must pursue Reception placement through the applicable admissions process.

Here, school placement applications are considered formally by Kent Local Authority, and a full-time placement requires an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). An officer at the relevant Area Education Office explains admission arrangements during statutory assessment or school transition. For families, the important next step is that formal placement process; nursery attendance should never be treated as confirmation of a later place.

Visits to the school can be arranged through the office on 01843 863891 or by emailing foreland@foreland.kent.sch.uk. An informal visit allows parents to discuss suitability and places before the local authority considers placement formally.

The school's uniform preference allows adjustments for individual needs, including jogging bottoms and clothing suited to frequent changes. Families can use matching colours without the school logo. Clearly labelled clothes and appropriate spares are practical preparations for a child's day.