Nursery at Hollington Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A separate nursery setting and a gated early-years outdoor area give Hollington’s youngest children spaces of their own within the primary school. The nursery sits on Hollington Old Lane in St Leonards-on-Sea. For families choosing a school nursery, that combination means a distinct nursery base within a wider school setting.
Hollington describes its early-years aim as helping children feel secure, develop relationships and become ready to learn. Personal, emotional and social development are central to that aim. No Ofsted graded rating yet.
Children’s interests help shape the topics used across the seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Hollington describes this as building on the different experiences children bring with them and extending their understanding of the world. The emphasis is on developing the individual child, rather than expecting everyone to arrive with the same knowledge or experiences.
Topics provide the organising thread for early-years learning. This thematic approach is being developed to connect with the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), which the school uses in later years. For nursery families, the relevant feature is the topic-based early-years approach: children’s interests contribute to the learning themes.
The physical arrangement also matters. Nursery has a separate setting, while the early-years children have a gated area outside. These give the youngest children their own base and outdoor space within the school grounds.
Support for additional needs sits within the school’s wider SEND arrangements. Parents, the class teacher and the special educational needs coordinator work together to consider barriers to learning. That gives families a role in discussing what may be affecting their child’s progress.
Depending on individual need, school support can involve adapted tasks, visual prompts or help from a teacher or teaching assistant, individually or in a small group. Outside-agency involvement also depends on the child’s needs and can include occupational therapy or speech and language therapy. These are school-wide arrangements, rather than a fixed nursery support package.
Safeguarding training takes place annually for school staff, with induction for new starters. Parents can discuss safeguarding practice with the designated safeguarding lead. This provides a direct route for raising concerns about a child’s welfare.
Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the relevant deadline. Treat that application as a separate decision, even if your child is already attending nursery.
For the 2025/2026 admissions cycle, applications to Hollington Primary School went through East Sussex County Council’s school application portal.
For children over three, nursery accepts 15 funded hours and, where the child is eligible, 30 funded hours during term time. Families using the 30-hour arrangement must supply their childcare code and reconfirm eligibility within the required periods. Keeping eligibility up to date is part of maintaining that funding.
Children who do not receive 30 funded hours can attend additional paid hours, invoiced to parents or carers. Contact the School Finance Team through the school office for current charges or questions about funding and invoices. Nursery enquiries go through the school office on 01424 851783 or office@hps.e-sussex.sch.uk.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process by the relevant deadline.
Yes. Nursery has a separate setting, and early-years children have a gated outdoor area.
Topics across the seven EYFS learning areas build on children’s interests and experiences. The early-years approach is thematic.
For children over three, it accepts 15 funded hours and 30 funded hours where eligible, during term time. The 30-hour arrangement requires a childcare code and eligibility reconfirmation.
Contact the school office on 01424 851783 or office@hps.e-sussex.sch.uk. Funding and invoice queries can be directed to the School Finance Team through the office.
