Selborne Primary School Nursery Review

Playdough disco, puppet stories and free movement between indoor and outdoor learning give Selborne’s nursery day its character. This is the nursery within Selborne Primary School in Perivale, with entry from age three. For the September 2026 intake, the main cohort was children born between September 2022 and August 2023; younger children could join after turning three if spaces remained.

Social learning matters alongside early reading. At the November 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children in early years cooperated in play and shared resources considerately. That gives parents a concrete picture of children learning to spend time together.

The autumn 2025 nursery routine begins with practical independence: children organise their coat, water bottle and book bag, register themselves and tackle activities for hand control. Group time brings together the weather, calendar talk and movement, followed by learning through books, music, maths or playdough disco. Discovery Time then allows children to move between activities indoors and outside. Tidying, a snack and a story bring the session towards its goodbye song.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines seven learning areas with activities children choose and tasks adults guide. Here, that means time to explore alongside shared teaching. The indoor and outdoor spaces are both used for learning, rather than outdoor time being confined to a break.

Books get daily attention. Children discuss story characters, consider possible endings and use puppets and props to perform what they have heard. These are opportunities to speak, listen and make sense of a story, as well as enjoy it. Fred Games introduce nursery children to listening for sounds; letter sounds follow in the summer term. The autumn 2025 information session also identified Tuesday as library day.

Home visits form part of getting to know families: the June 2026 transition presentation explained that children who had attended Selborne Nursery would already have received one. This gives families an opportunity to share information before the move into school life.

Fruit and milk feature in the nursery routine, and children bring a water bottle. Birthday celebrations follow the same food approach: families are asked to avoid cakes, sweets and treats, with a book or fruit platter suggested instead.

For concerns, the class teacher is the first contact, followed by the EYFS lead and assistant head if further discussion is needed. Thursday oracy homework on Google Classroom gives parents a specific connection to learning through talk. The nursery’s online safety teaching also introduces children to internet use and whom to approach when something worries them.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the council where they live, using the normal primary admissions route. For September 2026 entry, the deadline was 15 January 2026, with online applications through eadmissions. That cycle is now past.

Preparation and allocation are separate matters. Selborne shares Starting Reception guidance with families, including practice with coats, shoes, toileting and turn-taking. For children needing additional support, the guidance encourages families to explain their child’s needs and useful strategies to the new teacher. These practical steps help prepare a child for the change; they do not secure admission.

Nursery enquiries go to admissions@selborne.ealing.sch.uk. School tours can be arranged through the office on 020 8997 1947, giving families a direct way to visit.

The autumn 2025 nursery guidance requires uniform, asks families to label belongings and specifies black shoes rather than boots. It recommends jogging bottoms for easier bathroom use. These small clothing choices support the independence built into the nursery routine.