Shaw Primary Academy Nursery Review

Daily stories give Shaw Primary Academy’s nursery a clear starting point: listening, talking and building the language children need for learning. This is the school’s own nursery in South Ockendon, on Avon Green. Its character comes through most clearly in the combination of familiar routines and topics that invite children to explore.

At the inspection on 29 and 30 April 2025, Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Stories are part of the nursery’s daily rhythm. Alongside listening to books, the early years curriculum emphasises English, mathematics and communication. In April 2025, children were learning classroom routines quickly, while staff helped them extend their vocabulary. For parents, the practical emphasis is on children understanding how the day works and finding more words to express themselves.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) programme uses topics as starting points, adapting them as children’s interests develop. Communication threads through the learning, rather than being confined to one activity. That gives children opportunities to practise language across different subjects and experiences.

For the 2026-27 cycle, topics include dinosaurs, minibeasts and growing. Children explore animal habitats and life cycles, consider where food originates, and learn about caring for plants. The sequence moves from familiar experiences of themselves and their families towards the natural world. Physical development includes work with balls, gymnastics and parachute games, giving movement its own place alongside language and mathematical learning.

Settling activities begin the EYFS programme, followed by opportunities to explore friendships, family and looking after oneself. These are useful starting points for children adjusting to a group setting: the curriculum makes their own experiences part of the learning.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) follows the school’s cycle of assessing needs, planning support, putting it into practice and reviewing its effect. The class teacher works with the Inclusion Manager/SENCo and parents to agree targets and adjustments. Termly discussions give families a regular opportunity to review progress and contribute their knowledge of their child.

Practical care begins with information from home. Parents provide details of medical conditions, prescribed medication and dietary needs, including allergies. Requests for medication support and consideration of medical dietary needs involve additional forms. Communication also uses texts and emails through Eduspot (Teachers2Parents), with parental consent. Across the school, outside areas and building access routes are wheelchair accessible, a concrete consideration for families with mobility needs.

Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives admission priority. Families must make a separate Reception application through Thurrock Council, following the normal admissions timetable. Choosing the nursery therefore needs to be a decision about the nursery experience itself.

Transition support is a separate matter. For children with SEND, additional visits may be offered, and a photo book may be used where appropriate to prepare for September. Staff share information about needs and support so that the next teacher can prepare. These arrangements help with familiarity and continuity; they do not change admission priority.

Nursery applications go through the school office, which provides the application form. If applications exceed nursery spaces, the school applies its oversubscription criteria. Families can contact the office on 01708 852367 or email admin@shawprimary.thurrock.sch.uk.

School visits and open events are offered to prospective applicants, with reasonable adjustments where necessary for disabled children or parents. A visit provides an opportunity to discuss a child’s needs before applying.