Hinguar Community Primary School Nursery

In October 2024, rhymes, stories and counting with building blocks gave Hinguar’s nursery a concrete focus: learning to listen, use language and work alongside other children. This is the nursery provision within Hinguar Community Primary School in Shoeburyness, with places for children aged 2 to 4. It belongs to the SECAT group of nurseries, whose stated approach is to respond to children’s interests and individual ways of learning.

The school occupies a light, airy building on New Garrison Road. Its grounds and outdoor space were developed with input from staff and pupils, giving the nursery a school setting with space beyond the classroom.

Language starts with familiar sounds and repetition. In October 2024, nursery children were learning songs and repeated rhymes, alongside listening to stories. These activities support the early steps towards reading: remembering language and paying attention to what they hear. A phonics programme also began in nursery at that time, introducing another strand of early reading learning.

Practical tasks bring number learning into play. Adults helped children count building blocks, connecting objects they could handle with the numbers they were learning. Nursery children were interested in their activities and received clear guidance from staff. Learning alongside others also meant sharing materials and practising listening, so social development was part of the activity itself.

Teaching consistency. The October 2024 findings also identified uneven delivery of the school’s phonics approach, with slower progress where teaching differed. Curriculum planning needed to address gaps in knowledge and subject vocabulary, starting in the early years. These are relevant cautions alongside the positive picture of children’s engagement.

Settling was a strength in October 2024: nursery children adjusted well and showed attentive listening and positive behaviour. Adults explained tasks and supported children through them. Children also cooperated over shared resources, providing opportunities to practise taking turns and getting along with their peers.

Physical access features belong to the wider school site. There is a ramp to the main entrance, paths with room for wheelchair access, disabled toilets and a wet room. These are concrete features for families considering access to the building; they do not, by themselves, describe an individual child’s support arrangements.

Attending Hinguar’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery entry and Reception admission are separate processes: families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions route by the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and obtaining a school place as two separate decisions.

SECAT nurseries offer the universal 15 hours of weekly funding and 30 hours for eligible families, alongside self-funded places. Eligibility matters when planning attendance around funded hours.

For nursery enquiries, contact the SECAT early years team at earlyyears@secat.co.uk. Hinguar’s school office can also be contacted at office@hinguar.secat.co.uk or 01702 292721. The nursery’s school address is New Garrison Road, Shoeburyness, SS3 9FE.