Milton Hall Primary School and Nursery: Nursery Review

A self-contained garden and three-hour sessions give Milton Hall’s nursery a distinct place within the larger primary school. Based in Block B on Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, it accepts children from the term after their third birthday. The nursery admission number for 2026/27 is 78.

Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 16 and 17 April 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The session pattern is straightforward: children attend either mornings or afternoons, with three hours on each of five days. This gives families a regular half-day pattern around which to organise other care.

In April 2024, children in early years were developing conversation and friendships through planned activities. Participation involved both concentration and shared play. Good behaviour helped children learn together, with adults setting high expectations. For parents, the emphasis is on learning how to take part alongside others as well as developing language.

Block B houses the nursery alongside Year 4. Outside, the nursery has its own enclosed garden, giving it an outdoor space distinct from the school’s infant and junior playgrounds.

There is a Hygiene Room in the nursery, a concrete care facility within its accommodation. Families can share additional needs and languages spoken at home when applying, giving staff information about the child before they start.

Support draws on the school’s SEND coordinators, SEN learning mentors and specialist learning mentors. Decisions about joining the SEN register involve the coordinator, class teacher and parent, with the child’s views considered too. Parents therefore have a part in deciding how needs are understood.

For children joining the school who need SEND support, arrangements include conversations with parents and the previous setting, opportunities to meet classroom adults and extra visits where needed. These offer a way to build familiarity before the change. Contact the SEN team at send@miltonhall.southend.sch.uk; the school gives a response time of three working days during term time.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through Southend-on-Sea’s Common Application Form. For 2027/28 entry, the application period runs from 14 September to 15 January. Nursery attendance gives no priority within that year’s oversubscription criteria, so familiarity with the school must be kept separate from securing a place.

For children with SEND moving between classes, teachers share information with the next teacher and children visit their new classroom. Extra visits or transition booklets can be provided where needed. This preparation supports the change of classroom; it does not alter admissions priority.

The nursery offers 15 free hours each week, taken as five morning sessions or five afternoon sessions. The application allows families to express a morning or afternoon preference, or accept either pattern. There are September and January intakes.

Enquiries can go to admissions@miltonhall.southend.sch.uk. The nursery is part of Milton Hall Primary School and Nursery, Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7AU.

Checking progress. In April 2024, the school was asked to improve how staff identify gaps in pupils’ understanding in some subjects. This was a school-wide concern, rather than a finding specific to nursery. Parents can make discussions about their child’s next learning steps part of their contact with staff.