Cedar Children's Academy Nursery Review

A refurbished nursery space has brought two-year-olds into Cedar Children's Academy's early years provision, extending the nursery's place within this primary school in Strood. The expansion was announced in May 2026. Play and exploration shape the school's description of early learning, with time for children to pursue their own interests alongside adult teaching.

There are separate nursery application forms for two-year-olds and three-year-olds. This is provision within Cedar Children's Academy, on Cedar Road, rather than a separate nursery setting.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines teaching with activities children choose themselves. In parent language, that means adults guide some learning while children also learn through playing, investigating and discovering. Cedar aims to make learning irresistible through this combination. The balance gives children a part in deciding what to explore, rather than making the whole session adult-directed.

Number practice has a regular place in nursery learning. At the October 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that daily mathematics practice began in Nursery, helping children develop confidence with numbers and simple calculations. Early years teachers also had specialist knowledge of early reading. There was an important qualification across the school: phonics teaching needed greater consistency, and some curriculum areas needed more opportunities to revisit learning. Those were school-wide concerns, rather than findings confined to the nursery.

Tapestry connects nursery learning with home every day. Staff add observations to this online journal, and parents can contribute examples of what their child is doing at home. That makes communication two-way: families can share learning beyond the classroom as well as see what happens during nursery time.

Language support has an early years connection. An early years teaching assistant has trained to deliver the Nuffield early language intervention (NELI). Within the school's wider SEND provision, children on the SEN register have individual support plans, reviewed with parents three times a year. Families raise concerns with the child's teacher first, then arrange a SENCo meeting if concerns continue.

Joining support includes contact with a child's previous setting by the early years leader or SENCo. The SENCo can also meet parents before their child starts. These conversations give families a route to discuss needs before the move. Across the school, physical access includes ramps and two adapted toilets; individual access requirements can be discussed.

Nursery children receive free fruit during the morning. For safeguarding concerns, families can arrange contact with the designated safeguarding team through the office; staff receive regular safeguarding training.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat that application as a separate step in planning your child's schooling, even if your child already attends Cedar's nursery.

Morning nursery runs from 08:40 to 11:40, while the afternoon session is 12:25 to 15:25. The full-time nursery day starts at 08:40 and ends at 15:25, with lunch scheduled between 11:40 and 12:25. Those timings give families clear points around which to organise the day.

For enquiries, contact office@cedarchildrensacademy.org.uk or call 0333 360 2105. The office operates from 08:30 to 16:30. Nursery children are exempt from the white collared shirt requirement that applies to other year groups.