Jeannine Manuel School Nursery Review

Stories, imaginative play and practical number learning give this nursery its distinctive shape. Jeannine Manuel School’s nursery belongs to its bilingual primary provision at 20-24 Russell Square in Bloomsbury. PS, the French year-group label paired with Nursery, corresponds to age three.

In March 2024, there were two nursery classes. Early-years children encountered French and English through adults’ questions and language modelling, while initial phonics teaching used French alone.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, becoming more independent, physical development and early exploration of numbers, books and the world. Here, the nursery curriculum combines those areas with French learning goals. Stories, pretend play and practical tasks give children ways to practise skills together rather than treating each area as an isolated lesson.

Language runs through the activities. Children work towards retelling events, asking questions and explaining their ideas; books introduce characters, story sequences and repeated refrains. In March 2024, ISI found that adults’ questioning and examples of spoken French and English supported early-years communication. Initial phonics teaching used French alone to reduce confusion between the two languages.

In March 2024, daily early-years music involved singing, signing and rhythm notation, supporting attention as well as communication. Number learning is practical too: nursery goals include counting claps or steps, arranging shapes and comparing small quantities. Creative work includes balancing construction pieces, experimenting with colour and making props for pretend play. These give children concrete ways to express an idea or solve a problem.

The primary campus includes an Art and Music room and two playgrounds. These are shared campus facilities, rather than a claim about a dedicated nursery garden. Physical learning goals include catching a large ball, changing direction around obstacles and using scissors, bringing both whole-body movement and hand control into the curriculum.

Independence develops through small routines. Nursery learning goals include washing hands, dressing with assistance and telling an adult when tired or hungry. Sharing resources and recognising feelings also feature, connecting everyday care with learning how to be part of a group.

For additional needs, parents contribute to planning support. An Individual Education Plan requires formal documentation of a specific diagnosis from a medical doctor, is developed with parental involvement and is reviewed annually. Admission remains conditional on the school being able to support the child’s needs, so suitability needs individual consideration.

Dietary requirements. Children with allergies, intolerances or other specific dietary requirements should not join the School Lunch Programme. Families need an alternative meal arrangement.

In March 2024, early-years safeguarding arrangements were appropriate, including handing children over to trusted adults at dismissal. That makes collection part of the care arrangements, as well as the daily timetable.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Before choosing the nursery, confirm internal progression requirements with admissions@jmanuel.uk.net.

Reception is on the same primary campus as Nursery. That shared location provides continuity of place; it should not be treated as an admissions entitlement.

Campus tours can be booked and take place during the school day. Presentations include questions and answers with the leadership team, but do not include a campus visit. For enquiries, contact admissions@jmanuel.uk.net.

School clothing includes logo tops and compulsory official bags; trousers or skirts can be chosen within the dress rules. Means-tested bursary support extends to EYFS pupils, subject to entrance requirements and available funds. Awards undergo annual review, so families should treat support as conditional rather than permanent.

For the journey, the school recommends walking or public transport. Russell Square and Holborn stations are each under ten minutes’ walk from the Russell Square site, giving families two nearby public-transport options.