Rochester Riverside Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Sand, water and learning to butter toast give Pip nursery its character: play and small steps towards independence share the day. This is the nursery class at Rochester Riverside Church of England Primary School on Gas House Road, with 26 places for children starting in the term following their third birthday. September, January and April are its three entry points each academic year.

The Christian ethos extends into early learning, where the school aims to encourage independence and a willingness to try unfamiliar activities. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 8 and 9 July 2025. That judgement covers early years across the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play supplies the starting point. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum follows Development Matters, with seven learning areas explored through activities and experiences. Adults join children's play, respond to their interests and adjust opportunities as learning develops. Children return to skills and practise them, with the aim of using them independently.

A Curiosity Approach inspired environment brings everyday objects, natural materials and loose pieces into play indoors and outside. Pip children have explored sand and water outdoors, while the school also has a dedicated Forest School area. These details give the provision a practical, hands-on emphasis rather than a day built entirely around adult instruction.

Language work starts with listening and sounds. The nursery uses the game What's in the box? to develop awareness of speech sounds and oral blending, alongside poems, stories and action rhymes. This prepares children for reading through spoken language. Early years children also have PE each week, with further physical learning through their own play.

During Pip's All About Me topic, children discussed how they are alike and different. Reading The Colour Monster helped them talk about their feelings. Games give them practice in listening and waiting for a turn. In July 2025, early years children showed secure mathematical understanding, including independently practising recognition of small quantities on an iPad, and enthusiastically retold familiar stories.

Settling begins with getting to know other children and the adults in the room. Home visits can be offered for nursery children, alongside stay and play opportunities with parents and extra visits for children who need longer to adjust. Everyday independence includes managing coats and buttering toast: care routines become opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.

Parents can contact Pip through pipclass@rrcoe.medway.sch.uk. MCAS carries school messages and event information, while each child has a personal learning story. Families can contribute achievements from home through proud clouds, helping adults build a picture that includes life beyond the classroom.

For additional needs, the school's Graduated Response Procedure includes individual plans, reviews three times a year and parental involvement. Medical care plans are prepared with families. SEND support. In July 2025, some pupils across the school received support that lacked the precision they needed; improving staff expertise was an action required of the school. Families should discuss how support will match their child's particular needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery entry is handled by the school; Reception admission is a separate process managed by Medway Council. Families must apply again through that process by the applicable deadline.

Transition support serves a different purpose from admission. Staff collaborate on learning and pastoral continuity, and the school aims to familiarise children with expectations and routines ahead of changes. Additional visits can help children who need more preparation; they do not secure a place.

Places follow a five-day pattern, Monday to Friday in school terms, from 8:45am until 3:15pm. Day length. Nursery children have no breakfast or after-school club provision, so families need collection arrangements that fit the nursery finish.

Bring a water bottle bearing your child's name, a book bag containing the yellow reading record, and spare clothes in a named bag. Label clothing too. Nursery enquiries go to admissions@rrcoe.medway.sch.uk or 01634 471697, and applications use the nursery application form. If a place can be offered, families are contacted during the preceding term.