Southbank International School Hampstead Nursery Review 2026

An international curriculum starts early at Southbank Hampstead: the independent, mixed school admits children from age two at its Netherhall Gardens campus. Nursery is part of the same primary setting rather than a separately registered childcare provider. The school's later Primary Years Programme is inquiry-based, giving families a clear question to explore: how the nursery day for two-year-olds connects with that wider curriculum.

The nursery is based at the school's Hampstead campus on Netherhall Gardens. For a two-year-old, that means the provision sits within the wider school setting rather than operating as a separately registered childcare provider.

The school's Primary Years Programme is described as inquiry-based. Its published information does not establish how that approach is adapted for the nursery day, so families should ask what two-year-olds actually do during a session, how much time is spent indoors and outdoors, and how adults balance child-led activity with guided learning. Those answers will show whether the daily experience suits the child's interests and stage of development.

Families should discuss settling arrangements, the key-person approach, meals, toileting and any sleep needs directly with the admissions team before accepting a place. These details matter at age two, and a conversation gives parents the chance to test how the current routine fits their child.

Families with learning or support needs to discuss should raise them with the admissions team and ask what individual support can be delivered within the nursery day. Sharing relevant information gives both sides a practical basis for that conversation.

For each care point, ask for the everyday detail: who receives the child at drop-off, how updates are shared, what happens when a child needs quiet time, and how toileting accidents are managed. Clear answers will matter more to a two-year-old's experience than the wider school's timetable.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families should confirm the current Reception progression and application arrangements directly with the school.

The nursery is at 16 Netherhall Gardens, London NW3 5TH. Applications and visits are handled through Southbank's admissions route. Families should ask for the current weekly attendance patterns, daily start and collection times, term calendar, funded-entitlement position, food arrangements, uniform expectations and current charges. None should be assumed from the primary timetable. Parents comparing attendance options should also check whether sessions can be combined, whether collection times are fixed, what children need to bring each day, and how the nursery handles absences or changes to a regular pattern. This turns a broad admissions enquiry into a practical test of whether the week will work for the family.