Chatsworth Infant School Nursery

Two three-hour sessions, with a supervised lunch between them, shape nursery life at Chatsworth Infant School. There are 26 full-time nursery places, described as 30 hours, within the infant school on Burnt Oak Lane in Sidcup. For families considering a full day, the lunchtime arrangement matters as much as the session times: children bring their own lunch, and supervision carries a separate charge.

Morning nursery runs from 8.30am to 11.30am; the afternoon runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Full-day attendance joins these sessions through a lunch break with supervised play. That gives children time to eat and play between the two teaching sessions, rather than requiring families to collect them at lunchtime.

Learning in the early years foundation stage (EYFS) follows a thematic approach: learning is organised around topics. Chatsworth aims to develop early number and reading skills alongside interpersonal skills, creativity and independence. For parents, that means the curriculum aims cover both the beginnings of literacy and numeracy and children's development as individuals. Links with International Primary Curriculum units are being developed in the long-term plan. This is a useful distinction for parents: themes organise early-years learning, while the links with that named curriculum are still being developed.

Packed lunches are part of the full-day routine. The Midday Meal Supervisor team looks after children while they eat and during the play that follows. Families therefore provide the food, while the school provides supervision across the gap between sessions.

Across Chatsworth, staff receive safeguarding training each year, and new staff have a safeguarding induction. Parents can discuss safeguarding concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Chair of Governors. These give families clear routes for raising a concern.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school aims to give staff training that supports access to learning. Its approach recognises that children learn differently and at different speeds. Support for children learning English as an additional language sits within its arrangements for additional needs; the school uses specialist borough resources to assess new arrivals. These are school-wide arrangements, relevant to families considering nursery as part of Chatsworth.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Bexley Admissions, following the normal application timetable. Choosing nursery and obtaining a school place are separate decisions.

There is a conditional nursery-related priority: children eligible for pupil premium who attend a nursery attached to the school by location or management fall within an oversubscription category. It comes after the categories for looked-after and previously looked-after children, siblings, and children of staff. Nursery attendance alone does not confer that priority. Families should keep the pupil premium condition in mind when assessing what attendance means for their application.

All children are entitled to 15 funded early-education hours. Families meeting the government's eligibility criteria may receive 30 funded childcare hours. Those who do not qualify for that funding can buy additional nursery hours for full-time attendance, subject to availability. Ask the school for current charges, including lunchtime supervision.

Nursery entry is in September, subject to places being available. Tours for nursery families take place during the spring term and can be arranged through the office. For enquiries or tour arrangements, telephone 020 8300 9295 or email admin@chatsworth.bexley.sch.uk.