Pound Park Nursery School

Pound Park Nursery School has served the community of Charlton in the Royal Borough of Greenwich since 1944, offering high-quality early education within an adventurous woodland oasis setting. This state-maintained nursery school for children aged 2 to 4 holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating and centres its work on the principle that "my child is your child", creating a culture where every child receives the same care and attention from qualified teaching staff. The site comprises several buildings within expansive grounds featuring nature-based outdoor play areas, forest school opportunities, and hands-on learning spaces including mud play zones. Operating extended hours from 7.30am to 6pm during term time, Pound Park delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum with a strong emphasis on outdoor exploration, child-led learning, and developing confident, independent young learners ready for their next educational step.

Pound Park Nursery School was established in 1944 to serve children whose parents were involved in the war effort, founded with the core value of delivering high-quality early education through qualified teachers. This ethos continues more than eighty years later under the leadership of headteacher Solin Flash, who has led the school since May 2022, supported by deputy headteacher Clare Charles and executive headteacher Sarah Harrison.

The school's philosophy centres children in all decision-making processes, exemplified by the values statement "my child is your child" highlighted by Ofsted inspectors in November 2024. This approach ensures every child receives consistent care and attention from the highly qualified teaching staff and practitioners who work together to support, encourage and facilitate learning opportunities.

The atmosphere at Pound Park is one of exploration and discovery. Children play and learn with exuberance in the highly stimulating environment, both indoors and outdoors, as noted in the July 2019 Ofsted inspection. The school's woodland setting provides an adventurous oasis for young children to explore, encouraging physical development, curiosity and a connection with the natural world. Daily planning takes place across the whole school for indoor and outdoor spaces, largely based on children's interests, the rhythms of the year, and significant events and experiences.

Pound Park Nursery School delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum to children aged 2 to 4 years. The school operates an integrated approach where two-year-olds and three-year-olds are welcomed into the main nursery school and free-flow across four classrooms and the garden area. The curriculum areas are shared across the classrooms, allowing children to access different learning experiences throughout their time at the setting.

The school's qualified teachers and practitioners employ a child-centred approach, encouraging exploration and learning through hands-on experiences in the natural woodland setting. Physical development is a particular focus, with children developing physical control, mobility, awareness of space and manipulative skills in both indoor and outdoor environments, including health and self-care.

Pound Park offers specialist support through its Early Communication Together (ECT) programme, as well as dedicated SEND provisions with a published local offer. This ensures that children with additional needs receive appropriate support within the nursery's inclusive environment.

The school maintains its Outstanding Ofsted rating, most recently confirmed through an inspection conducted in November 2024, with the full report published in December 2024. Previous inspections in 2011 and 2009 also resulted in Outstanding ratings, demonstrating consistent excellence over more than a decade. Children leave the setting with well-established personal and social skills as well as a thirst to actively learn more, providing a strong foundation for their transition to primary school.

The nursery is housed in a series of separate buildings within extensive grounds on Pound Park Road in Charlton. The site includes the main nursery building, an annex, Quaggy's children's centre, and dedicated play areas. This configuration provides children with varied learning environments and spaces to explore.

The outdoor environment is a defining feature of Pound Park, described as an adventurous woodland oasis designed for young explorers. The grounds offer forest school opportunities with nature-based play spaces, including areas for mud play that encourage sensory exploration and risk-taking within safe boundaries. Children have daily access to the outdoor areas, which are integral to the curriculum rather than supplementary.

Enrichment activities beyond the standard curriculum offerings enhance children's experiences. The school operates from 7.30am to 6pm during term time, Monday to Friday, providing extended hours that support working families. Both part-time and full-time places are available, offering flexibility for different family needs.

The facilities support accessibility, with dedicated provisions ensuring children with different needs can participate fully in nursery life. The integration of indoor and outdoor spaces allows for continuous provision where children can move freely between environments, following their interests and choosing their learning paths.

Admission to Pound Park Nursery School is managed through the Royal Borough of Greenwich admissions policy for nursery places. Parents are invited to submit an application form after their child's second birthday. Application forms are kept on file, and as vacancies arise, places are allocated according to Greenwich's admissions criteria.

The nursery offers different funded entitlements depending on the child's age and family circumstances. All three- and four-year-old children are entitled to 15 hours of early education per week during term time, regardless of parental employment status. This entitlement begins at the start of the school term following the child's third birthday. The school also participates in the 30 hours free childcare scheme for eligible families.

For two-year-olds, the nursery may offer part-time places through local early years arrangements, subject to eligibility and availability. Families should check current two-year-old place options with the school or through Royal Borough of Greenwich early years services.

Prospective families are welcome to visit the nursery to see the learning environment and discuss childcare needs and any additional charges. Appointments should be booked through the school office on 020 8858 1791. Application forms can be submitted via email to office@poundpark.greenwich.sch.uk, or for Greenwich residents preferring paper applications, using the Royal Borough of Greenwich's common application form available from the School Admissions Service.

The school's Outstanding rating and distinctive woodland environment make it a popular choice among Charlton families. Parents considering Pound Park should contact the nursery directly to discuss current availability and secure a place for their child.

Pound Park Nursery School represents early years education at its finest: a setting where children aged 2 to 4 learn through exploration in an adventurous woodland environment, supported by qualified teaching staff who embody the principle that every child receives equal care and attention. The school's Outstanding Ofsted rating, maintained consistently since at least 2009, reflects the strength of its child-centred approach and the quality of its curriculum delivery.

For families in Charlton and the wider Greenwich area seeking nursery provision that balances academic preparation with outdoor learning and play, Pound Park offers an exceptional environment. The extensive grounds, nature-based facilities, and forest school opportunities provide experiences that many urban nurseries cannot match, while the integration of two-, three- and four-year-olds creates a nurturing community where children develop at their own pace.

The school's extended operating hours from 7.30am to 6pm offer practical flexibility for working families, while the availability of both 15-hour and 30-hour funded places, as well as dedicated two-year-old provision, makes the nursery accessible to families from different backgrounds. The specialist support through the Early Communication Together programme and SEND provisions demonstrates Pound Park's commitment to inclusive education.

Children leaving Pound Park are well-prepared for primary school, equipped with strong personal and social skills and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. For families prioritising outdoor learning, qualified teaching staff, and a proven track record of excellence in early years education, Pound Park Nursery School merits serious consideration. Prospective parents should visit the setting to experience the woodland environment firsthand and discuss how the nursery can meet their child's individual needs.

Is Pound Park Nursery School a good school?

Yes, Pound Park Nursery School holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating, most recently confirmed through an inspection in November 2024. The school has maintained Outstanding ratings consistently since at least 2009, demonstrating sustained excellence in early years education. Ofsted inspectors have highlighted the school's child-centred values, highly stimulating learning environment, and the exuberance with which children play and learn. Children leave the setting with well-established personal and social skills and a thirst to actively learn more.

How do I apply to Pound Park Nursery School?

Parents should submit an application form after their child's second birthday. Application forms can be returned via email to office@poundpark.greenwich.sch.uk. Greenwich residents preferring paper applications should use the Royal Borough of Greenwich's common application form, available by emailing school-admissions@royalgreenwich.gov.uk. Applications are kept on file and places are allocated as vacancies arise according to Greenwich's admissions policy. For two-year-old places under the Together for Twos programme, apply through your local Children's Centre, which will check eligibility and look for availability.

What are the operating hours at Pound Park Nursery School?

The nursery operates Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm during term time. Both part-time and full-time places are available, offering flexibility for different family needs and working patterns.

What funded hours are available at Pound Park Nursery School?

All three- and four-year-old children are entitled to 15 hours of early education per week during term time, starting from the school term following their third birthday. The nursery also offers the 30 hours free childcare scheme for eligible families. Additionally, 48 part-time places (15 hours per week, term time) are available for eligible two-year-olds through the Together for Twos programme.

What makes Pound Park Nursery School's outdoor provision special?

The school is situated within extensive grounds featuring an adventurous woodland oasis designed for young children to explore. The outdoor environment includes forest school opportunities, nature-based play spaces, and areas for mud play that encourage sensory exploration. Children have daily access to outdoor areas, which are integral to the curriculum rather than supplementary, supporting physical development, curiosity and connection with nature.

What age range does Pound Park Nursery School serve?

Pound Park Nursery School serves children aged 2 to 4 years, with integrated provision where two-, three- and four-year-olds free-flow across four classrooms and the garden area.