Little Willows Nursery at Glebe Primary School

A role-play house, an exploration garden and access to the friendly forest give Little Willows a day that extends beyond its own classroom. This is Glebe Primary School’s nursery in Rayleigh, with its own indoor and outdoor learning spaces within the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage unit. Children learn alongside two Reception classes and share an outdoor area, making the wider school part of their everyday experience.

Children can join in the term following their third birthday, with September, January and April intakes. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 8 and 9 October 2024. That judgement covers early years across the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play and learning take place indoors and outside. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for this provision; here, its practical activities include outdoor learning linked to topics and a weekly PE lesson. Nursery children also join assemblies with younger school classes, giving them experience of activities beyond their own group.

Outside, climbing equipment adds physical challenge, while the storytelling area and role-play house provide spaces for language and imaginative play. The exploration garden offers another setting for discovery. Access to the field, libraries, halls and friendly forest broadens the places children can use during their nursery day.

Early reading begins with learning about environmental sounds. Twinkl Phonics is the school’s named programme, with its foundations beginning in Nursery. This places listening before the later work of reading words. At the October 2024 inspection, inconsistencies in early phonics teaching meant some children at the beginning of reading were receiving insufficiently focused help. This is a relevant question for families considering the early reading experience.

An integrated early years team works across Nursery and Reception. Parents can take part in workshops and workshare sessions, and an online Learning Journey can be accessed at any time. These give families ways to engage with learning rather than relying solely on conversations at collection.

For children staying throughout the day, lunch can be a school dinner or a packed lunch from home. Meals carry an additional charge, and a voluntary contribution supports snacks and consumables. This gives families a choice over lunch while keeping the contribution’s voluntary status clear.

Safeguarding has an operational lead for EYFS, alongside the school’s designated safeguarding lead. Families can raise concerns through the school office. In October 2024, clear routines and expectations were established in early years, providing a defined structure for children’s behaviour and daily participation.

Familiar surroundings are a practical part of transition here. Nursery children already use the EYFS unit alongside Reception classes, and the shared outdoor area means the next stage is physically close. The nursery and Reception teams work together on transition.

Attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, coordinated by Essex local authority, and meet the normal deadline. Shared spaces and familiar staff should be understood as transition support, rather than an admissions advantage.

Little Willows operates during term time, with morning and afternoon sessions from Monday to Friday and the option to stay throughout the day with lunch provision. A 30 hour nursery provision is offered, alongside additional Willows wraparound care for children from three years old.

Wraparound collection. After-school care closes at 4.15pm on Fridays and on the final day of term. Families needing later collection should account for these shorter days. Willows bookings can be made via Scopay, 24 hours in advance.

Nursery uses the Talbot Avenue entrance. To register interest, return the interest form to the school office or email admin@glebeschool.com. School visits can also be arranged through the office. Contact the school for current charges before choosing additional sessions or meals.