The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Underhill School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Straw, sticks, bricks and a fan: Underhill’s nursery children have tested a familiar story with a practical experiment. That combination of storytelling, making and discovery gives a concrete picture of the provision’s play-based character.
Underhill School’s nursery welcomes children aged two, three and four at Mays Lane in Barnet. The school has announced an expansion, adding places for two-year-olds alongside increased provision for three- and four-year-olds. Nursery belongs to the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 8 and 9 February 2023; this is an early-years judgement within the school inspection.
Stories become things to do. In October 2025, Conker Class explored The 3 Little Pigs through singing, making character masks and acting in the nursery garden. Children also built model houses from different materials, then used a fan to test which would collapse. The activity connected a familiar tale with practical questions about materials and construction.
Another October 2025 activity took The Little Red Hen into cooking. Children discussed helping and sharing, measured flour, mixed pasta dough and cut it into shapes. They tasted the cooked pasta with tomato sauce and cheese. Measuring and making gave them reasons to talk, take part and follow a process together.
The field provides another setting for learning. During September 2025, nursery children collected acorns, leaves and sticks, noticed birds and squirrels, and described the sounds beneath their feet. Outdoor space was being used for observation and vocabulary, as well as movement.
EYFS is the early learning stage here. These examples show what it can mean for a child: language, physical activity and exploration combined through play. In February 2023, learning from early years onwards followed a planned sequence, with knowledge and vocabulary building foundations for later learning.
Communication support includes approaches beyond speech. Underhill uses total communication methods for children who communicate in other ways, making this a useful starting point for discussing a child’s communication needs.
Families can arrange a conversation with the school’s Inclusion team through the office about SEND, inclusion or safeguarding concerns. The team includes a SENDCo, a safeguarding lead, a learning mentor and an officer covering attendance and medical matters. These roles give parents specific routes for raising different concerns.
The school-managed Children’s Centre adds family support alongside nursery provision. Its services for under-fives include speech and language support, parenting programmes and health advice covering toilet training and healthy eating. These are centre services, separate from the nursery session itself.
A separate application. Attending Underhill’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal school admissions process. The school directs parents to their home council and the eAdmissions website, with school-age admissions coordinated by Barnet.
For September 2026 entry, the stated closing date was 15 January 2026. That admissions cycle is past. Treat nursery registration and the later Reception application as two separate decisions, each requiring its own application.
The funded session pattern is five mornings or five afternoons for the 15-hour weekly entitlement. Underhill describes this entitlement for some two-year-olds and all three- and four-year-olds. Staff can help families check eligibility.
Some three- and four-year-olds qualify for 30 funded hours, with a limited number of places offered. Extra sessions can be purchased, and extended sessions can be booked through the office for children already attending nursery. Contact the school for current charges.
Nursery registration uses an online form. To arrange a visit, email admissions@underhill.barnetmail.net or telephone 020 8449 2423. This gives families a direct route to see the provision before registering.
Children aged two, three and four can attend.
They can be taken as five morning sessions or five afternoon sessions each week, subject to the child’s eligibility.
Yes. Paid extra sessions are offered, and children already attending nursery can book extended sessions through the school office. Contact the school for current charges.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions route. The school directs families to their home council and eAdmissions.
Email admissions@underhill.barnetmail.net or call 020 8449 2423 to arrange a visit.
