Hook Lane Primary School Nursery Review

Forest School, Write Dance and play across indoor and outdoor spaces give Hook Lane’s nursery its own daily ingredients. This is an on-site nursery class within Hook Lane Primary School in Welling, integrated into the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and working alongside the Reception team. Children join in September after their third birthday.

The school aims to develop fearless learners: children willing to try, investigate and learn through experience. For nursery families, that takes practical form in play guided by a qualified teacher and nursery nurse, with access to school spaces beyond the nursery classroom.

Adult-guided activities sit alongside play chosen by children. The EYFS brings together learning to communicate, move, build relationships and understand the world, alongside early reading, writing and maths. Here, that means opportunities to explore rather than a day built solely around formal instruction.

Write Dance develops both larger movements and finer hand control. Early phonics activities introduce sounds, while number and shape activities give children things to compare, count and arrange. The nursery aims include understanding numbers to 5, recognising small quantities without counting, spotting rhymes and beginning to write a name. Stories, imaginative play and music give language another route into the day.

Outdoor learning has a specific setting. Regular Forest School sessions use the school’s forest school area; nursery children also have access to the field, a large outdoor area, the hall and music room. Indoor and outdoor play therefore sit alongside opportunities to use the wider school environment.

In May 2023, Ofsted identified adults making use of everyday opportunities for counting in Nursery, and an early-years learning environment that encouraged recognition of letters and sounds. These are concrete examples of early learning woven into the surroundings and interaction with adults.

Settling starts at home. Before children begin, a teacher visits them with their parents in familiar surroundings. Attendance is then introduced gradually, giving staff time to support children as they become used to nursery. For children whose special educational needs are already identified, appropriate visits can also involve the inclusion team and their previous preschool setting.

Communication has several routes. My Child At School (MCAS) carries updates, and each nursery child has a contact book for messages that can wait. Parents should check it daily. Teachers can also speak with families at collection and drop-off; pressing concerns go through the school office.

Children staying through lunch bring a packed lunch, with supervision during the lunch break forming a charged extra. Independence is encouraged in dressing and toileting, with adult help for children who need it. Easy fastenings and shoes children can manage themselves support that practice.

SEND support connects nursery with the school’s inclusion team. Early Talk Boost is an EYFS programme led by trained teaching assistants, while children under 5 with an EHCP have reviews every 6 months. The school building is on one level and has wheelchair-accessible toilets, practical features for families with mobility needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the school’s admission criteria. Families must make a separate application through Bexley Council online. For children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, the application deadline is 15 January 2027.

Familiarity is a separate matter. Nursery works closely with Reception, and transition support can include social stories and books to share at home where a child may find the change difficult. Those arrangements help prepare a child for change; they do not determine admission.

The booking choices are full-time attendance, five mornings or five afternoons, plus a 30-hour option covering 6 hours per day for families with an eligibility code. Session times require care: the nursery offer gives 8:35am to 3:15pm for full days, 8:35am to 11:35am for mornings and 12:15pm to 3:15pm for afternoons. The nursery timetable instead runs five minutes later at each point. Confirm the applicable times before arranging collection.

Universal funding covers 15 hours a week in term time; eligible working families can receive 30 hours over 38 weeks. Eligibility codes need renewal every 3 months. Full days extending beyond funded hours carry top-up charges. Ask the school for current charges, including lunch supervision.

Navy and white uniform includes nursery joggers; a logo is optional. Wellington boots and wet-weather clothing support Forest School participation. To enquire or book a nursery visit, telephone the office on 02083033839.