Woodberry Down Community Primary School Nursery Review

Colour mixing, growing plants and exploring seasonal changes give Woodberry Down's nursery its character: children have concrete things to investigate, describe and create. This is the school's own early years provision on Woodberry Grove, with a separate two-year-old provision alongside the Nursery, which accepts applications for children aged three.

Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Outstanding following its December 2023 inspection. That judgement covers the early years stage within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play and teaching share the day. Children pursue their own activities as well as joining adult-directed learning, with opportunities indoors and outside. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum brings together language, physical development, relationships, early literacy, maths and exploration of the world. Development Matters and Birth to 5 Matters inform the school's approach. For parents, this means that talking, moving, making and learning to get along belong alongside counting and early reading.

The Nursery's summer timetable combines carpet sessions with time for mark making, observation and stories. Dough Disco, scarf dancing and nursery rhymes add movement and sound; cooking and music also feature. These give children different ways to participate, rather than spending the session on one type of task.

Themes connect those activities to recognisable experiences. The summer colour topic links Holi with mixing colours and discussing feelings, while plants grow both outdoors and inside the Nursery. A role play area supports acting out familiar situations. Seasonal learning also extends beyond the classroom: the summer plan includes a local park walk to a pond, encounters with farm animals and making a rock pool. Children have experiences to talk about as well as pictures and stories to discuss.

In December 2023, early years learning linked the quantity three to identifying triangular shapes around the classroom and beyond, helping children use an idea in different contexts. The wider school's improvement action concerned uneven teaching and checks on knowledge in some recently revised subjects; it was not a separate nursery judgement.

Emotions receive explicit attention in nursery learning. Children practise talking about feelings, resolving disagreements and considering friendship. The summer plan develops problem solving through discussing emotions and possible solutions, making relationships part of the curriculum rather than simply a behaviour rule.

Lunch is included in the full-time Nursery timetable. The school's catering team cooks on site with fresh ingredients, and vegetarian choices are available. Families can also provide a packed lunch, subject to the restriction on nuts and sesame. That gives parents a choice of meal arrangements while setting a clear boundary for what goes into a lunchbox.

For developmental concerns, the class teacher is the first contact. The SEND information report specifically includes discussion of the two-year-old check for children in early years. Support can involve speech and language therapists, occupational therapists or educational psychologists, with parents taking part in setting targets. The school site has step-free entrances, a lift and an accessible toilet with shower facilities. Families of children with disabilities or particular health needs meet the school before starting to plan care arrangements.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Hackney's admissions process and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. Treat that application as a separate task from joining the nursery.

Classroom preparation is a different matter. The Nursery's summer learning plan includes visiting Reception for a story session. This gives children a reason to become familiar with the next classroom; it does not secure admission. For children needing SEND transition support, strategies include social stories, handover meetings and visual countdowns.

Morning and afternoon places are offered, alongside full-time places for families qualifying for 30 funded hours or choosing a paid top-up for a full school day. Nursery applications use the Nursery waiting-list form; the two-year-old provision has its own form. Refer to the school for current charges.

EYFS wraparound care is based in the Nursery, with access to indoor and outdoor resources. It operates on weekdays during term time and is charged separately. This extends the childcare options beyond the nursery session itself.

Tours can be arranged through the school office or the School Tour form. For enquiries, call 020 8800 5758 or email wdoffice@newwavefederation.co.uk. Travel restrictions. Woodberry Grove's School Street rules restrict driving during morning and afternoon periods unless an exemption applies. Plan the journey around those restrictions.