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Nursery at Essendene Lodge 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Free movement between classrooms gives Essendene Lodge’s nursery a distinctive shape: younger children can play alongside older early-years children, with outdoor access throughout the day. This is nursery life within a prep school, with shared activities beginning well before the move to Reception.
Children join from two. Saplings Class covers ages two to three, while Acorn Class takes pre-school children from the term they turn three until Reception begins. Qualified teachers lead the early-years classes, supported by practitioners. The nursery aims to build independence and confidence through play alongside focused teaching.
Saplings begins with breakfast and Tinker time, the nursery’s name for free play. Registration and a teacher-led carpet session follow, then a mixture of adult-guided tasks, children’s own activities and movement between learning spaces. Snacks, outdoor play and phonics punctuate the morning. Lunch leaves room for sleep or further outdoor play; the afternoon brings another teaching session and activity time before stories.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers seven areas of learning. Here, that means developing communication, early literacy and mathematics alongside physical skills, social understanding and exploration. Phonics groups reflect children’s individual abilities. Weekly specialist sessions add music, PE and French, giving children different ways to listen, move and express themselves.
All early-years classrooms connect to the renovated outdoor area, and children can move between classrooms too. Nursery play extends outside in different weather conditions. Interactive Smartboards feature in nursery and pre-school rooms; climbing equipment, balancing apparatus and ride-on toys provide physical challenges in the early-years playground. Acorn children also take local walks to the park, shops and library, with topic-linked visits including the Sea-life Centre and Chessington zoo.
At the November 2025 ISI inspection, early-years children developed communication quickly and progressed well in basic literacy, but adult-directed work sometimes restricted their own exploration. The recommended improvement was to spread effective early-years practice so that independent play develops curiosity consistently across classes. For parents, the balance between planned teaching and time to pursue a child’s own ideas deserves attention.
A keyworker is chosen according to the relationship a child forms with an adult, while the wider team gets to know each child. Settling starts with a parent interview and play session, then builds through individually arranged visits. In pre-school, these can include shorter days, later starts or staying for lunch before progressing to a full day.
Famly carries private photographs and videos, observations and daily information about eating, sleep and toileting. Termly parent meetings and two reports each academic year add more structured conversations about development. This gives families both everyday care updates and a longer view of progress.
Children who need naps can have their own bed and bedding. Staff help with toilet training, cutlery, independent eating and trying unfamiliar foods. The school chef accommodates dietary preferences and requirements, using fresh ingredients sourced locally. Breakfast, lunch and tea sit within the full-day routine.
In November 2025, progress monitoring supported early-years children with SEND to reach at least expected developmental levels. Children needing extra English-language support could use pictures labelled in English and their home language. Risk assessments specifically covering early years were thorough and reviewed regularly.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Ask the school to confirm the Reception admission arrangements and any application steps; settling into the school’s routines should not be confused with securing admission.
Familiarity is built deliberately. Pre-school children explore the Reception room and meet its team during the year. Transition sessions begin as early as the spring term, with mornings or days spent working there. Parents have introductory Reception meetings at the beginning of the pre-school year, helping them prepare alongside their child.
The nursery opens from 8am to 6pm, offering term-time care or full-time care across 51 weeks. Options include full days and morning or afternoon sessions. For 2026/27, the five-day term-time pattern runs from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Full-year booking patterns cover three, four or five days. Ask the school office about session availability and current charges.
Eligible families can use 15 or 30 funded hours and should provide their eligibility code to the nursery manager. Funding covers childcare itself, with meals, consumables and hours beyond the entitlement excluded. Full-year charges are averaged across 12 monthly payments; bank holidays, public holidays and inset closures remain payable.
Enquiries go through the contact form or school office on 01883 348349. Individual tours can be booked. Regulation uniform comes from Hewitts of Croydon.
Children can join from two years old. Saplings serves ages two to three; Acorn pre-school starts from the term a child turns three and continues until Reception.
Yes. Children who need a daytime nap can have their own bed and bedding, and Famly provides daily sleep updates.
An initial parent interview and play session helps staff get to know your child. Further settling visits are arranged around individual needs, with phased entry where appropriate.
No. Ask the school to confirm the Reception admission arrangements and any application steps. Classroom visits and transition sessions help children become familiar with the next stage but do not guarantee admission.
For eligible families, funded hours cover childcare at no cost. Meals, consumables and additional hours fall outside that entitlement; contact the school for current charges.
