Early Birds Nursery at Richmond Primary School

Story props, outdoor obstacle courses and learning to put on your own shoes give Early Birds Nursery its character: play and everyday independence work together. This is Richmond Primary School’s nursery for children aged 2, 3 and 4, on the school site in Sheerness. Sessions are led by a qualified teacher, and children use shared school facilities alongside the nursery’s indoor and outdoor spaces.

At the school’s inspection on 8 and 9 November 2022, Ofsted judged the early years provision Good. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Children’s learning activities supported the development of knowledge and skills in an engaging environment.

Communication takes the lead. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, physical development, relationships and feelings, alongside early literacy, maths, understanding the world and creative expression. Here, listening, following instructions and gaining confidence to speak receive particular attention. Stories come with props for children to act out what they have heard, giving language a practical purpose.

Play is the main route into learning. Outdoors, obstacle courses give children opportunities to balance, climb and jump; weekly PE uses the school hall. Indoors, puzzles, construction activities and playdough exercise coordination and hand strength. Craft and messy play add opportunities to explore materials. These are different ways to practise the physical skills children need for increasingly independent tasks.

Role play gives relationships and emotions room to develop, while Life Skills encourages children to manage shoes, toileting and handwashing themselves. Early writing begins with making marks using chalk, crayons, pens and brushes. Singing introduces rhyme, and counting is woven into activities across the day. Music, dance and storytelling also provide ways to explore ideas and imagination. The emphasis is on learning through doing.

Each child has a key person from the nursery team. That adult gets to know their interests, moods and needs, informing individual support; the wider team also works with the child. Tapestry online learning journals connect this work with home. Parents can see observations and contribute their own, making photographs and activities useful starting points for conversations about the day.

For children attending all day, lunch can be a packed meal supplied by parents or a nursery-provided meal. The choice lets families decide which arrangement suits their child.

Across Richmond, an Inclusion Team supports children and parents, and families are welcome to make contact about additional needs. Teaching adaptations address learning, social and wellbeing needs. This gives parents a route into discussing support alongside the nursery’s individual knowledge of their child.

Familiarity is part of the transition: nursery children become acquainted with the school environment and use shared facilities. That can make the setting more familiar when the next stage approaches.

Attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Kent County Council admissions and meet the normal application deadline. Treat that application as a distinct step from joining Early Birds, even if your child already knows the school.

Attendance follows a five-day, term-time pattern. Families choose mornings from 8.30am to 11.30am, afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, or full days from 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. Children attend their chosen pattern on all five days, so this is a regular weekly commitment rather than a selection of individual days.

To enquire, complete the nursery interest form online or return a downloaded copy to the main school office. Government childcare support depends on eligibility; Childcare Choices provides an eligibility route, and the nursery offers support with this. Refer to the school for current charges.

Uniform is optional. Mapac supplies it, with nursery delivery during term time. Practical trousers or joggers and shoes suited to sand, water and active play fit the activities here. Label removable clothing and shoes so children can recognise and recover their belongings.