Stanford-Le-Hope Primary School Nursery

Play and outdoor learning give Stanford-Le-Hope’s nursery its character. This is provision for three and four-year-olds on the primary school site, with qualified, experienced teachers leading the nursery and outdoor learning alongside play. For families seeking a school-based start, the combination puts teaching and practical activity together from the outset.

The nursery belongs to Stanford-Le-Hope Primary School on Copland Road. In November 2022, Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery inspection grade. A nursery SEND resource base was also part of the provision at that time.

Play is the starting point for the curriculum, with outdoor learning and enrichment also part of nursery provision. This gives children opportunities to learn through activity, rather than making the nursery day solely about sitting and listening. Teachers lead the provision, so play and teaching sit within the same nursery experience.

Books give that learning a concrete focus. In November 2022, adults in the nursery used rhymes and stories to draw children into reading. The emphasis was on capturing their interest: an introduction to books through language and storytelling. For a young child, that makes an interest in reading part of nursery life from the beginning.

Across early years, activities covered the different curriculum areas and children were achieving well in November 2022. In plain parent language, the early years foundation stage involves learning across several areas, rather than concentrating only on reading. Story-linked activities included baking gingerbread biscuits, connecting a tale with something children could make. It is a useful example of how storytelling can extend into practical learning, rather than ending when the book closes.

Qualified teachers lead the nursery. That is a concrete staffing feature for parents weighing a school nursery against other childcare arrangements: teaching is part of the provision’s structure.

In November 2022, the school had a nursery resource base for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Its nursery-specific role matters for families considering support alongside early learning. The resource base is a distinct feature of this school’s nursery provision, separate from the general description of a play-based curriculum.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Stanford-Le-Hope Primary School. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the normal deadline. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.

Reception admission. A nursery place must not be treated as a secured school place. Families should plan for the Reception application as a further step, even when their child already attends the nursery.

Full-time and part-time options give families different attendance patterns to consider. Nursery enquiries go directly to the school on 01375 672066 or by email to admin.sps@osborne.coop.

The school address is Copland Road, Stanford-le-Hope, SS17 0DF. This places nursery provision on the primary school site, a practical consideration when assessing the journey for regular attendance.