Zaitoon Nursery

A large classroom, adjoining garden and an emphasis on preparing children for primary school give Zaitoon Nursery a clear preschool identity. This Lewisham setting accepts children aged three to five and has 40 places in total. Its appeal lies in the connection between everyday play and practical independence: talking with other children, developing early writing and learning to work together.

At its May 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective, with positive findings about support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. That is a dated assessment. The same visit also raised two concrete concerns: outdoor experiences needed more variety and physical challenge for older children, and protection against the sun needed attention.

The nursery operates during term time, with current opening hours of 8am to 4pm. For families, the educational emphasis and the school-holiday closure are equally important parts of the decision.

Rooms and Ages

The building contains a large classroom beside a garden, plus two smaller rooms and another garden behind the building. That gives the setting indoor spaces alongside outdoor areas, rather than making outdoor play dependent on an outing. The accepted age range is three to five, so this is a choice for preschool children.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) provides the foundation for learning through play, covering language, movement, relationships, early literacy, mathematics and creative exploration. Zaitoon's activities include stories, role play, sensory experiences and arts and crafts. These give children different ways to practise communication and explore ideas, rather than relying solely on adult instruction.

School Readiness is the nursery's named emphasis on preparation for primary school, combining independence and confidence with early reading, writing, listening and cooperation. The practical value is the breadth of that preparation: learning to join a group or listen to another person sits alongside making marks and recognising early literacy skills. It is preparation for the next stage, rather than an admissions advantage.

In May 2022, children explored growing plants by watering them and discussing what they needed. Construction play brought children together to solve problems, while a doctor-themed game gave them opportunities to invent situations and use language. Staff used questions to extend children's ideas and brought mathematical thinking into their play.

In May 2022, children recalled a farm visit prompted by their interest in animals. Children subsequently talked about the experience, connecting an outing with their interests back at nursery. This example shows how an experience beyond the classroom could give children something concrete to discuss.

Outdoor and Community Life

In May 2022, outdoor activities included sand play and ball games with other children. However, the outdoor provision lacked enough variety and opportunities that stretched older children's movement skills. The improvement priorities were therefore about the substance of outdoor learning, as well as sun protection. Having gardens and making good educational use of them are separate considerations.

Relationships and Communication

Each child is allocated a key worker, with a meeting before attendance begins so parents can discuss concerns. The key worker then maintains contact about the child's activities and individual needs. This creates a specific relationship for sharing information, rather than leaving parents to establish a new conversation with a different member of staff each time.

In May 2022, parents could help children settle at a pace suited to them. Communication included conversations each day and a nursery app. Together, those arrangements linked what happened during the nursery day with what parents knew about their child at home.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

In May 2022, staff worked with parents and sought advice from outside agencies to support individual needs. For children learning English as an additional language, vocabulary development involved parents and carers. These are useful examples of support built around a child's circumstances, rather than treating all children as having the same starting point.

Every worker undergoes a DBS check supported by references, and staff take part in continuing training. The team includes a manager, qualified nursery nurses and support staff. These are arrangements for recruitment and staff development; the dated safeguarding judgement belongs to the inspection assessment above.

Daily independence also had a physical dimension in May 2022: children used a handrail on the stairs leading to the toilets and were encouraged to move toys that could cause trips. Staff helped children think about safety while doing ordinary tasks.

Sessions and Attendance

Zaitoon Nursery's address is 369 Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6NZ. Opening hours are 8am to 4pm, and attendance is term time, with closure during school holidays. That closure matters for parents whose working year continues beyond school terms.

Enquiries can be made by email to info@zaitoonnursery.co.uk or through the contact form. The nursery also offers appointments to visit.

Funding and Paid Extras

Eligible children can use 15 hours funded childcare or 30 hours funded childcare. There are no mandatory top-up charges for funded hours; parents may need to supply eligibility information and complete a Parent Declaration Form before those hours start. Additional attendance beyond the entitlement is paid childcare.

Meals and non-food consumables can be charged separately as voluntary extras, including alongside funded childcare, with parents able to opt out where applicable. Outings and special activities may also attract voluntary charges under the same opt-out condition. Families receive current prices through the nursery's written quotation; the fees and funding page explains the charge categories.

• Outdoor challenge and sun protection. Both were improvement priorities in May 2022. During a visit, ask how outdoor activities now challenge older children and what arrangements protect children from the sun.
• Term-time attendance. The nursery closes for school holidays. Families needing care throughout the year will need to plan around those closures.
• Funded hours and voluntary extras. Paid attendance beyond the entitlement is separate from funded childcare, while meals, consumables, outings and special activities may attract voluntary charges. Discuss which extras would apply to your child's attendance and how opting out works where applicable.

Zaitoon suits families seeking term-time preschool care with play, practical independence and preparation for primary school woven together. The gardens, classroom arrangement and key-worker relationship give parents concrete features to weigh, while the May 2022 Good judgement provides a dated quality reference. Outdoor challenge and sun protection deserve close attention when assessing today's provision. The school-holiday closure is the clearest practical constraint for families needing year-round care.