The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Lauriston 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Time to settle comes before assessment at Lauriston’s nursery. Children first get to know the adults and their classroom; staff then build a picture of their development through conversation, observation and play. That gives the nursery a clear starting point: relationships before formal checks.
For three- and four-year-olds, this is nursery provision within Lauriston School on Rutland Road. The September 2025 federation admissions policy gives Lauriston a capacity of 39 children, combining full-time and part-time places. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 11 and 12 July 2023; this is an early-years judgement within the school inspection.
Child-led learning shapes the early years approach. Staff use both activities they plan and play children choose themselves to understand how learning is developing. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) assessment covers movement, communication and relationships, alongside early literacy and mathematics. In parent language, the focus includes how children express themselves, manage physical tasks and relate to others, as well as their beginnings with words and numbers.
In July 2023, the early years curriculum had a clear sequence of knowledge and skills. Children played together, practised sharing and learned to wait for their turn. These are practical parts of learning to belong to a group, rather than simply preparation for classroom work.
The inspection also identified a school-wide weakness in checking understanding: checks were sometimes too inconsistent to reveal gaps or establish what pupils could already do. That finding concerned teaching across the school, rather than a separately identified nursery shortcoming.
Settling starts at home. Before nursery begins, the class teacher and key worker visit the family; for the September intake, a nursery open day also brings parents together with the early years lead and school leadership. During the first week, attendance builds gradually while the parent spends progressively less time alongside the child. Families should plan for that adjustment period.
OWL, meaning Observe, Wait, Listen, guides adults’ responses to children’s behaviour. In nursery, staff acknowledge feelings, help establish what happened and work with the child on a solution. Sharing difficulties become opportunities to model useful language. The emphasis is on helping children communicate their needs.
For children with an Education, Health and Care Plan, an admissions review with parents and relevant professionals can lead to an individual start, including shorter initial attendance. The federation’s care policy also provides for a toileting plan agreed with families when children still need pull-ups. At Lauriston, a lift supports movement between floors, a concrete feature relevant to families with mobility needs.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and confers no priority under the federation’s listed Reception criteria. Those criteria also exclude nursery siblings from the sibling category. Families must apply again through the normal local-authority process, managed by Hackney Education, by the normal deadline.
Transition is a separate matter. The federation arranges July transition days so children can meet their Reception teachers and begin learning the routines. Familiarisation supports the change of classroom; it does not secure admission.
Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, and full-time places from 9am to 3.30pm. Nursery applications go through the school office. The different session lengths let families choose between a shorter session and a school-length day, subject to a place being allocated.
The September 2025 policy describes the universal entitlement as 15 funded hours each week over 38 term-time weeks, beginning in the term after the third birthday. Eligible working families can access up to 30 hours. Families must supply their eligibility code to the school and complete the funding process before the start of each school term. Full-time places can also be paid for. Meals, nappies and trips may attract additional charges; contact the school for current charges.
Lauriston has no uniform. Clothing should allow movement and participation in activities. For applications or a visit appointment, contact the office on 020 8985 6331 or email admin@lauriston.hackney.sch.uk.
The nursery provision is for three- and four-year-olds.
Morning sessions are 9am to noon, afternoon sessions are 12.30pm to 3.30pm, and full-time places run from 9am to 3.30pm.
The class teacher and key worker make a home visit before the child starts. During the first week, nursery hours increase gradually while the parent’s time alongside the child decreases.
No. Attendance neither guarantees a place nor gives priority under the listed Reception criteria. A separate application is required through the normal local-authority process managed by Hackney Education.
Yes. The federation policy describes 15 hours a week over 38 term-time weeks for three- and four-year-olds, starting the term after their third birthday. Eligible working families can access up to 30 hours. Families must supply their eligibility code to the school and complete the funding process before the start of each school term.
