Icklesham Church of England Primary School and Nursery: Nursery Review

Poetry baskets and messy mark-making give Icklesham’s nursery its character: early language and the first steps towards writing grow through practical activities. Stories, rhyme and movement feature in the learning, giving children several ways to join in before they can read or write independently.

This is the nursery within Icklesham Church of England Primary School and Nursery in Winchelsea, East Sussex. It shares the school’s Christian foundations. The nursery-specific finding from Ofsted’s inspection on 5 June 2024 was that children enjoyed listening to stories, a useful sign of their engagement with this part of the day.

Language learning starts with songs, storytelling and rhymes. Poetry basket sessions use repeated rhymes to build vocabulary, so children meet words through listening and joining in. The emphasis is on spoken language before formal reading.

Writing begins with making marks. Messy play and accessible writing activities develop small hand movements, while physical activities across the setting work on the larger movements that support writing. These are practical foundations: children can explore what their hands and bodies can do as they prepare for later pencil work.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision includes learning through play. In design and technology, children explore through role-play and learning zones. A creation station gives them continuing access to drawing, painting and making models or pictures, allowing ideas to become something tangible.

Creative activities take place outside as well as indoors. The early-years art curriculum includes experimenting with materials, tools, colour and shape. Understanding the world also involves observing plants and animals, discussing changes and talking about family experiences. Together, these activities connect making, conversation and observation with children’s immediate surroundings.

For children needing additional support, the school’s SEND structure provides a route through the class teacher and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator. The co-ordinator manages support, including for children with Education Health and Care Plans, and works with families and outside services. That gives parents a defined starting point for discussing their child’s needs.

The school also has a Mental Health and Wellbeing Team that directs families towards support. Staff training includes Every Adult an Ally. These are school-level support structures, rather than a description of an individual nursery care plan.

School dinners are ordered through Parent Pay, with a main course and dessert available. Orders should be placed by 8am; late orders go through the office by 9.30am. For families using this meal service, ordering is a separate part of organising the day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. East Sussex County Council is the school’s admissions authority, and the school directs parents to the council for admission arrangements. Treat that application as a separate step from joining the nursery.

The school office is the enquiry contact: telephone 01424 814448 or email office@ickleshamcp.e-sussex.sch.uk. Prospective families can visit the school in person, and a virtual school tour offers a preview. These provide a way to become familiar with the wider setting before choosing the nursery.