The Square Nursery School

A garden, a growing patch and cooking activities give The Square Nursery School a practical, hands-on character. Children encounter counting through baking, explore instruments in music sessions and take part in outdoor play each day. These are concrete ways to connect learning with things children can touch, make and try.

The nursery accepts children aged 18 to 60 months. No Ofsted inspection has been published for this setting yet.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides learning and care, covering language, physical development, relationships and early learning through play. Here, adult-organised activities sit alongside children’s own exploration, with observations used to adapt activities to individual interests and development.

Stories and daily conversations give children opportunities to speak and listen. Baking introduces quantities and measurement; outdoor games bring in sorting and counting. Creative activity includes art, experimenting with instruments and imaginative play.

Outside, the garden supports daily active play, while a growing patch gives gardening a place in the curriculum. Nature walks and regular library visits extend learning beyond the nursery. Reading therefore has a connection with a community resource, alongside themed stories and phonics games.

Independence is practised through ordinary routines. Children help prepare snacks by washing, peeling and cutting produce, then take part in laying the table and serving themselves at mealtimes. These tasks give them opportunities to practise coordination and taking turns.

Yum Yum Food Company supplies meals, with hot dishes following a three-week menu cycle. The nursery’s dietary arrangements include tailored meals for allergies, intolerances and other requirements, planned with parents.

Communication includes meal updates, example menus and opportunities for parental feedback. Beyond food, practitioners adapt activities to children’s development, and children practise making choices and managing feelings.

The address is 18 Holland Park Avenue, London, W11 3QU. Opening hours are 8.45am to 4.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the nursery closes for school holidays.

Community events have included Stay and Play Wonderful Wednesdays: on 8 January 2025, children could play and socialise while parents met other local families over a hot drink.

• Holiday cover. Term-time opening means families needing childcare through school holidays will need a separate arrangement.
• Food requirements. Tailored dietary meals are part of the offer. Families managing allergies should confirm current preparation and serving arrangements.
• Planning a place. Open days run several times through the year and can be booked through a calendar or direct contact. At a visit, what attendance pattern, funded-hours arrangement and written quotation would apply, including meals and consumables?

The Square suits families seeking term-time childcare with daily garden play and practical activities such as baking, gardening and snack preparation. Its appeal lies in that concrete mix of experiences, alongside opportunities for children to practise independence. Families can weigh those features against the school-holiday closure when planning their childcare.