Hillsgrove Primary School Nursery Review

Language comes first in Hillsgrove’s early years provision. The nursery caters for children aged 3 to 4 within Hillsgrove Primary School on Sidmouth Road in Welling. It is part of the school’s early years foundation stage (EYFS) department, giving children a school-based start rather than a separate childcare setting.

An EYFS leader sits within the school’s leadership team. That gives the youngest children’s provision a defined leadership role alongside the school’s other stages.

The clearest learning emphasis is communication. In September 2023, Ofsted identified language as a priority across early years and found children willing and prepared to learn. For parents, that places developing language alongside readiness to take part in learning.

Preparation for reading starts when children join the school. The nursery’s place in that early preparation matters: its learning sits at the beginning of a longer reading journey. The September 2023 early years findings also described secure development of children’s knowledge and skills. These findings concern the early years stage within the school; they are not a separate nursery inspection grade.

Support has several routes within the school team. Alongside the EYFS leader, there is a special educational needs coordinator who also acts as designated safeguarding lead, plus a family support worker. The school says it treats education as a partnership with families, making communication between home and staff part of its intended approach.

All staff undertake safeguarding training. Concerns about a child should go first to the safeguarding lead, or to another safeguarding team member if the lead is absent. This gives parents a clear route for raising a welfare concern.

Medical information needs to stay current. Parents should tell the school about conditions such as asthma or nut allergies and provide medication that remains in date. When prescribed medicine must be administered during school hours, parents complete a consent form through the office. That makes sharing care needs an important part of preparing for attendance.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, with Bexley School Admissions handling the school-place route. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception are distinct decisions.

Treat the Reception application as a separate task in your family’s planning. Contacting Hillsgrove’s office about a nursery place does not replace that application, even though both stages belong to the same school.

Nursery enquiries go directly to the school office on 020 8303 4949. Visits can be booked by telephone or through admin@hillsgrove.bexley.sch.uk. Tours run on Mondays at 10am and Tuesdays at 2pm; appointments outside those times can also be arranged through the office.

School uniform combines navy knitwear with grey trousers or skirts and white tops. Plain items can be bought from a retailer of the family’s choice, and the Hillsgrove Uniform Hub accepts donated clothing and supplies previously worn items. Label clothing with your child’s name.

Collection arrangements deserve attention. An alternative collector must be on the child’s contact form, know the collection password and be notified to the school. If collection is delayed, contact the office. There is no parking at the school; surrounding roads provide parking, so allow for the final part of the journey.