Welcome to our Nursery

Welcome to Gray’s Farm Primary Academy Nursery 

At Gray’s Farm play is an integral part of learning where children are given time and freedom to explore their ideas.  They are encouraged to be problem solvers who take risks and learn from their mistakes.  Our children are encouraged to be creative thinkers, who are confident, expressive, resourceful and resilient.

Meet our Staff 

Mrs Foster Nursery Manager	Mrs Saunders Teaching Assistant	Mrs Lee Nursery Practioner

Our staff are highly trained and are passionate about how young children learn.  They work really hard to ensure that the relationships between the adults and the children are valued and nurtured.  

Opening Times and Sessions 

The maximum number for the Nursery in September 2025 is 24 children per session.  

Parents of children who access 30hr provision will need to provide their child with a packed lunch.  

Flexible Nursery Hours 

At Gray’s Farm we are now able to offer a more flexible way for families to access nursery entitlement.

• All families of children in the mainstream nursery age bracket are entitled to 15 hours of free universal nursery provision. 
• Some families will also be eligible for an additional 15 hours of free nursery provision through the government’s Childcare Choices scheme.  This means you can access up to 30 hours of funded provision per week in our nursery if you provide us with a valid eligibility code within the government's defined timescales - please see the government Childcare Choice Website for more information and to apply for a code. These additional hours are for working parents only.   
• Families are also able to pay the school directly for additional nursery sessions (morning or afternoon) .

Subject to availability, families can choose how their child’s eligible hours are spread across the school week but these must fit within our school hours of 8.30am - 3.30pm. 

• Morning or afternoon only using your 15 hours of free universal entitlement (5 x 3 hour nursery sessions, Monday to Friday 8.30-11.30am or Monday to Friday 12.30-3.30pm).
• A mixture of morning, afternoon and/or all-day sessions

Using your 15 hours of free universal entitlement (two full days or one full day and two half day sessions).
Using your 15 hours of free universal entitlement and paying for any further hours up to five full days of nursery provision.
Full time nursery using your child’s 15 hours of free universal entitlement and combining this with the additional 15 free hours available via the government's Childcare Choices scheme (if eligible) to access up to 5 full days of nursery provision (Monday to Friday 8.30am - 2.30pm).  If 30 hour funding parents would like to pay for an additional hour until 3.30pm this is something we are able to offer.  

The above options are subject to availability.
Requests for changes for the following term must be made no later than the end of the half-term prior to when the change is due to start, e.g. by the end of February half-term for a change in usage in the summer term.
Please note: Attendance in the nursery does not give priority for a place in the Reception class of the Academy, and a separate application must be made directly to the Borough.

Click here to find out if you are eligible for 30 hours provision.  

Our Nursery Environment 

Our aim is to provide a nursery in which young children can feel confident, happy, secure and content as they learn through play. We will achieve this by creating an attractive and stimulating environment where members of staff are approachable and welcoming.   A space where parents and their views are valued and the best possible early years provision will be made available.  We operate continuous free flow provision, to further support the children's development and ability to access learning opportunities outdoors, no matter the weather.  

At Grays Farm, we are lucky to have a great outdoor space that includes a trim trail, water investigation area, musical staged area, mud kitchen, growing garden and regular access to our forest school area. The children enjoy exploring these different areas, which allows them to inquire, grow, and develop in various ways while acquiring new skills.

Our Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage is a statutory framework, setting the standards of learning, development and care for children from birth to 5 years old.  

Challenging learning is carefully planned each day to reflect the changing interests and next steps of the children and parents are recognised as key partners in their child's learning journey.  

Children show us what they really know when they are playing independently.  The adult will watch, notice and observe children in place and make observations which inform planning, next steps and assessment.  Focus group activities support children to acquire new skills which they should then apply independently through their play.  

Nursery Admissions 

Admissions to Nursery are organised directly with the school.  If you are interested in space please speak to a member of the office team who will provide you with the necessary information.

Admissions Policy