The Oaks Infant School Nursery Review

Dens, muddy puddles and a vegetable patch give Ladybirds its character: this is a nursery built around children exploring, making and playing together. Part of The Oaks Infant School in Sittingbourne, it takes children from the term following their third birthday. Funded patterns serve three- and four-year-olds, with morning, afternoon and longer-day choices giving families different ways to organise the week.

The nursery aims to develop independence through play, allowing children to make choices and pursue their own interests. That approach shapes the learning as well as the timetable.

Children’s interests guide much of the activity. Adults use planning in the moment, responding to what a child is exploring rather than relying solely on a predetermined activity. Alongside this, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects physical development, communication and relationships with early literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. In practical terms, children learn through investigation and play, with both adult-directed activities and opportunities to choose for themselves.

Indoor and outdoor classrooms support free-flow learning. Weekly welly walks take children outside whatever the weather, while the nursery garden and vegetable patch bring growing into everyday exploration. Planting has included radish, carrots, onions and potatoes. Other activities have included constructing dens from fabric and natural materials, water play and building obstacle courses with loose parts. These give children reasons to negotiate, test ideas and work together.

Inside, circle times and stories encourage children to listen, speak to a group and join in with familiar phrases. Playdough disco, ribboning and drawing on large sheets of paper develop the movements needed for early mark-making. There is directed learning too: nursery mathematics includes three sessions each week using Master the Curriculum, followed by key-group work and opportunities to revisit learning through play. Phonics begins in nursery using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

At the November 2021 inspection, Ofsted found that the early years environment stimulated children’s interests and that adults encouraged creative exploration. This finding covered the school’s early years provision, rather than giving Ladybirds a separate nursery grade.

Tapestry Online Learning Journal connects home and nursery, recording children’s experiences and allowing families to contribute. Regular conversations with parents add a direct discussion of development alongside the online record. Families can therefore share learning from home as well as follow what happens during nursery sessions.

Settling activities have included children making self-portraits for their Key Group displays. These provide a personal place within the group while new starters become familiar with routines, adults and other children.

Additional support extends into the nursery through the SENCo team’s interventions. Parents can arrange an appointment or telephone consultation through the office, giving families a route to discuss individual needs. Across the school, each classroom also has a Place for Peace, a quiet area for children to pause and manage their feelings.

Attending Ladybirds does not guarantee a Reception place at The Oaks. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal Kent County Council admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for school as two separate decisions; familiarity with the school does not secure admission.

For the universal 15 funded hours, the fully funded choices are five mornings, 8:30–11:30am, or five afternoons, 12:30–3:30pm. Children using this entitlement can attend full days, but those days carry a charge for the lunchtime session. Eligible families using the extended entitlement can take up to 30 funded hours, with a fully funded daily pattern of 8:30am–2:30pm. Extending that pattern to 3:30pm carries an additional charge. Ask the school for current charges when agreeing a pattern.

Breakfast and After School Clubs also accept nursery children, and wraparound provision spans 7:30am–5:30pm. This gives families an option beyond the nursery sessions. Uniform is optional in Ladybirds; practical clothing, comfortable Velcro shoes and wellington boots are recommended.

Availability. The nursery is full for the 2026/27 intake. Families considering a later start can register interest to receive information about future nursery tours. General enquiries can go to the school office on 01795 423619.