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Nursery at The Pointer School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Making toothpaste, building with playground loose parts and learning French give Pointers’ nursery a distinctive mix of practical discovery and specialist teaching. This is the nursery within The Pointer School, an independent school in Blackheath, with children starting in the term after their third birthday. Its Lower School address is 37 Shooters Hill Road, separate from the older pupils’ site.
Children are organised into two classes, with a typical adult-to-child ratio of 1:8. That ratio describes the usual arrangement rather than a fixed staffing promise. Literacy and numeracy sit alongside play, while specialist teachers bring music, movement and languages into the day.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework. In parent terms, this means building communication, physical skills and relationships alongside early reading, maths, creative expression and understanding the world. Children work at their own pace. Reading begins with a bespoke phonics approach that develops awareness of sounds; maths includes hands-on activities that prepare children for Singapore Maths in Year One.
Topics connect the learning. Around the World and Once Upon a Time are past examples, while practical science can involve making toothpaste or experimenting with materials. Weekly specialist sessions cover dance, French, PE and music. These give children several ways to participate, whether through speaking, moving or making something. Early-years outings have included The Discover Centre and Battersea Park Zoo; visits to Greenwich Park support observation of plants and animals.
Outdoor learning has a clear social purpose as well as a physical one. The ISI inspection of 13 to 15 May 2025 described early-years learning zones and equipment that helped children practise sharing, negotiation and taking turns. Climbing develops larger movements, while artwork exercises smaller hand movements. Staff extend conversations with new vocabulary and questions, making play a chance to develop language as well as ideas.
Christian teaching is part of the routine: assemblies include Bible stories and praise songs. Celebrations also introduce children to festivals such as Diwali and Chinese New Year. Families should be comfortable with faith having an explicit place in the nursery day.
Settling is supported through relationships and planning for individual children. In May 2025, ISI found that early-years children settled and progressed, supported by attentive supervision and appropriate staffing ratios. Adults encourage children to help one another, and registration includes greetings in several languages. Paediatric first aiders work within the early-years provision.
The Pointer School Way begins in preschool, connecting personal and social learning with expectations about kindness, honesty and listening. For parents, the class teacher is the first contact; unresolved concerns can go to the Assistant Head for EYFS. Additional learning or pastoral plans are shared with families, giving parents a part in support rather than leaving it solely to staff.
Lunch is prepared on site by the school’s own chefs. Meals include a plant-based alternative, salad and crudités, with fruit or dessert. That gives children alternatives within the meal service. Preschool lunches are charged separately from tuition, so families should include them when considering the school’s current charges.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families should confirm with admissions what existing nursery pupils must do to continue into Reception. For Reception applicants, the published route is a direct application to the school. Applications involve a family meeting with the head or senior team; places are offered in application order, and there is no application deadline. Reception entry is in September after the child’s fourth birthday.
Keep the educational connection separate from the admissions decision. Nursery already introduces literacy, practical maths and specialist teaching, but those experiences should not be treated as an entitlement to a later place.
The preschool day runs from 08:30 to 15:15, Monday to Friday. School wraparound supervision extends from 07:45 to 18:30 and needs no advance booking. Breakfast Club provides breakfast, while Late Class includes games and activities, with sandwiches, fruit and a drink at 16:00. These services carry additional charges; ask the school for current charges.
Nursery uniform includes a purple logo sweatshirt and polo shirt, with navy bottoms and black shoes or trainers. Stevensons supplies the uniform. Start an enquiry through the online form for an admissions-team callback. Family tours can be requested, giving parents a practical opportunity to see the Lower School before deciding.
Children can start in the term after their third birthday.
The preschool day is 08:30 to 15:15, Monday to Friday. The school also offers charged wraparound supervision from 07:45 to 18:30 without advance booking.
No. Confirm with admissions what existing nursery pupils must do to continue into Reception. For Reception applicants, the published route is directly through the school, with no application deadline. A written offer depends on a satisfactory family meeting; acceptance of an application is not an offer.
School chefs prepare lunch on site. Meals include a plant-based alternative, salad and crudités, plus fruit or dessert. Preschool lunch is charged separately.
Speak to the class teacher first. Concerns that remain unresolved can be referred to the Assistant Head for EYFS through the school office.
