Regis Manor Primary School Nursery Review

Dinosaur pictures made from geometric shapes give a useful flavour of nursery learning at Regis Manor: practical, playful and connected to language. In July 2023, nursery children were using mathematical terms while arranging shapes into dinosaurs. This brings early maths into something children can make and discuss.

For three and four year olds, the nursery sits within Regis Manor Primary School’s Early Years phase in Milton Regis, Sittingbourne. Indoor exploration and outdoor discovery form part of the learning approach. Children’s interests help shape activities, giving their own curiosity a place in the day alongside the skills adults want them to develop.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines early reading and maths with communication, physical development, relationships, creativity and understanding the world. Here, planning responds to children’s interests and their next learning steps. Children are encouraged to investigate independently, both outside and indoors, while adults adapt the activities and resources around them. Exploration has a purpose: practising cooperation, trying ideas and keeping going with a task.

Listening comes before reading. Nursery children begin by paying attention to sounds around them and developing an awareness of how sounds work. First sounds are then introduced through brief daily sessions within the Read Write Inc approach. That gives early literacy a manageable rhythm, starting with listening rather than expecting children to arrive ready to read.

Personal and social learning uses Jigsaw, with nursery children learning about relationships, health, themselves and differences between people. These are everyday skills as well as curriculum content: learning to communicate and understand others matters during shared play.

Healthy Living Week includes nursery children in term 6. Activities explore diet, exercise and mindfulness, and children have opportunities to taste different vegetables and fruits. It makes healthy choices something to experience, rather than simply talk about.

In July 2023, Ofsted found that children in early years were confident and had settled into school life. That is a useful dated picture of how children were managing this first stage of education.

Nursery families can raise concerns with their child’s key worker, class teacher or the Inclusion Team and SENDCo. For concerns about special educational needs or disabilities, the class teacher is the first contact. Support follows a cycle of assessing needs, agreeing a plan, putting help into practice and reviewing its effect, so families can take part in decisions as needs change.

The school commissions independent speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. Personalised Plans are reviewed with families three times a year. These arrangements provide a route from an initial concern to targeted help and regular discussion of progress.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the relevant deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and securing a school place as separate decisions.

For children with SEND, preparation for a new class includes discussions between current and new teachers, time with the new classroom staff before the summer holidays, and a social story containing photographs of the classroom and adults. Familiarity can support the change; it does not confer an admissions advantage.

Both 15-hour and 30-hour funded nursery placements are offered. A personal nursery tour can be arranged through the school office, giving families an opportunity to see the setting before choosing it.

For nursery enquiries or to arrange that tour, telephone 01795 472971 or email rmpoffice@swale.at. The school is on North Street in Milton Regis, Sittingbourne, ME10 2HW.