Ellingham Primary School Nursery Review

Morning play, a mud kitchen and room to build independence give Ellingham's nursery its character. This school nursery welcomes children aged two, three and four, with qualified teachers and support staff delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). It forms part of Ellingham Primary School, rather than operating as a separate nursery.

Ofsted's January 2026 report judged the school's early years provision to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers early years together, rather than giving the nursery a separate grade. Within the two-year-old provision, caring adults help children become more independent and learn the routines that make a session manageable.

Play supplies the starting point. Children investigate, persevere when something proves difficult and try out their own ideas. The EYFS brings these experiences together: learning to communicate, move confidently and get along with others sits alongside early literacy, number, creative work and understanding the world. This gives everyday play a learning purpose.

The shared early years approach combines adult guidance with children's choices. ShREC structures conversations through shared attention, repeated and extended language, and turns in conversation. Drawing Club uses storytelling and drawing to develop imagination and the hand control needed for writing. Geography begins in nursery with directions and conversations about children's homes and nearby surroundings. The starting point is familiar.

Classrooms connect through free-flow access to a renovated outdoor learning area, allowing children to choose where to explore. Nursery family feedback mentions the mud kitchen, while children's comments pick out bikes and stories. These are concrete interests around which adults can develop play. An April 2026 nursery update gives another example: children selected colours for a bear's quilt and practised careful work with glue sticks.

In January 2026, early years teaching supported children's language through discussion of story characters and events, alongside rhymes and repeated vocabulary. Adults also helped children sustain attention and follow routines. The emphasis is on learning to participate as well as learning new words.

Joining children receive care and guidance, with the January 2026 early years findings linking close work with families to children's happiness and enjoyment of learning. Nursery staff are available for conversations at either end of a session, and parents can arrange another appointment when needed.

Tapestry gives families a continuing picture of their child's development. Photos, comments and videos are shared weekly, and parents can add contributions to the journal themselves. Two parents evenings provide further opportunities for discussion. This makes communication more than a conversation at collection.

Early identification of additional needs is part of the nursery's approach, with outside professionals involved where extra support is needed. Families can contact the SENCo through the school office. A paid school lunch club extends the morning, offering a practical option for families needing a later collection.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. The Royal Borough of Kingston School Admissions Team manages September school admissions; nursery applications go directly to Ellingham.

Educational continuity is a separate benefit. Nursery and Reception staff coordinate planning and assessment, helping learning connect across the early years. That collaboration supports progression in the curriculum; it does not secure a school place.

The current pattern is a morning session, Monday to Friday during term time, from 8.35am to 11.35am. The paid lunch club extends collection to 12.15pm. Afternoon and full-day provision depend on sufficient demand, with a waiting list used to build that demand. They are conditional options, rather than the current booking pattern.

Funded places include 15 hours for eligible two-year-olds through benefit-related or working-parent routes. For three- and four-year-olds, the nursery lists 15 funded hours, or 30 for eligible working parents. Paid places are also offered. The funded entitlement and the morning-only timetable need to be considered together when planning childcare.

Use the nursery enquiry form to express session preferences, or call the school office on 0208 397 3864 to arrange a visit. Drop-off and collection take place at the nursery play area, with Harrow Close the preferred gate.