James Lee Nursery School has held the top Ofsted rating of Outstanding since its May 2023 inspection, a distinction it has earned three times across its inspection history. Located on Gliddon Road in West Kensington, this state-maintained nursery serves children aged 2 to 5 within the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Part of the Thames Federation alongside Bayonne Nursery School and Melcombe Primary School since September 2019, James Lee combines the benefits of federation-wide resources and expertise with a strong early years identity. The school's ethos centres on enabling children to succeed and celebrate their "Enrichment, High Expectations, Excellence", supported by an established curriculum that includes Forest School experiences, weekly trips to Wimbledon Common, and in-the-moment planning approaches. Ofsted inspectors praised the school's commitment to building resilience and independence, noting that children develop a clear love of books, stories, and rhymes.
James Lee Nursery School operates as a local authority nursery with a clear commitment to high expectations and nurturing early development. The school's mission focuses on creating an environment where young children thrive and are well-prepared for primary education. Under the leadership of Executive Head Miss Anne-Marie Strachan, the nursery has maintained its Outstanding status while continuing to refine its curriculum offer.
Joining the Thames Federation in 2019 has strengthened the nursery's governance and provided access to shared resources and leadership expertise across three settings. The partnership has enabled James Lee to maintain its distinctive character while benefiting from collaborative planning and professional development. The nursery's approach emphasises exploratory play, problem-solving opportunities, and learning that extends beyond the school boundaries.
Ofsted's 2023 inspection report highlighted the warm and friendly care provided by staff, with parents consistently reporting that their children feel safe and well-supported. Inspectors noted leaders' high expectations and the school's success in fostering resilience and independence from an early age. The nursery has successfully addressed previous feedback by expanding opportunities for children to learn from the local environment.
The atmosphere at James Lee is described as calm, stimulating, and child-centred. Daily enrichment activities such as 'wiggle waggle' and yoga are embedded into the routine, alongside opportunities for children to retell stories and make recommendations about the books they enjoy. The school's commitment to sustainability is visible through initiatives such as the greenhouse made from recycled plastic bottles, where children care for plants.
As a nursery school, James Lee does not participate in statutory assessments such as SATs. However, the setting delivers a robust Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum designed to prepare children for their transition to primary education. Ofsted's Outstanding rating reflects the quality of this provision.
The curriculum approach at James Lee is built around in-the-moment planning, allowing staff to respond to children's interests and learning needs as they emerge during play and exploration. This approach is underpinned by a strong focus on communication and language, with specialist support available through the school's Speech, Language and Communication programmes.
Children at James Lee benefit from daily access to high-quality texts and resources. Inspectors observed that children develop a clear love of books, stories, and rhymes, with staff encouraging them to retell stories and share their thoughts on different texts. The emphasis on language development is supported by small group activities and one-to-one interactions with trained staff.
The school offers dedicated SEN provision, with a SENDCO available to support children with additional needs. Specialist interventions are tailored to individual requirements, ensuring that all children can access the curriculum and make progress appropriate to their starting points.
Forest School experiences and weekly visits to Wimbledon Common form a distinctive element of the curriculum. These outdoor learning opportunities allow children to explore natural environments, take managed risks, and develop physical skills in authentic settings. The outdoor provision complements the nursery's indoor learning spaces, which are well-resourced with specialist areas for different types of play and investigation.
Daily routines include physical activities such as yoga and movement sessions, alongside opportunities for creative expression, role play, and early numeracy and literacy experiences. The school's commitment to embedding environmental awareness is demonstrated through its Eco-School initiatives, which give children hands-on experience of sustainability and care for the natural world.
Children attending James Lee typically transition to local primary schools in Hammersmith and Fulham. As part of the Thames Federation, there is a natural progression route to Melcombe Primary School, although parents are free to apply to any state primary in line with local authority admissions policies.
James Lee Nursery School operates from a dedicated site on Gliddon Road in West Kensington, offering both indoor and outdoor learning environments. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, term time only, between 9:15am and 3:15pm.
The school's outdoor provision includes access to the on-site garden and the distinctive recycled-bottle greenhouse, where children learn about plant care and sustainability. Weekly trips to Wimbledon Common extend the outdoor curriculum, providing regular contact with a larger natural environment and opportunities for exploration that would not be possible on the school site alone.
James Lee offers a Breakfast Club service, providing wraparound care for families who require extended hours. Extracurricular activities are also available, reflecting the school's commitment to enrichment beyond the standard curriculum.
The nursery operates a School Council, giving children early experience of collective decision-making and voice. This participatory approach aligns with the school's focus on building independence and confidence from an early age.
The setting has earned recognition for its work in promoting active travel and sustainability, holding Silver Accreditation from Travel for Life (TfL) for the period September 2024 to August 2026. This accreditation reflects the school's commitment to reducing car journeys and encouraging walking, cycling, and use of public transport among families.
Children at James Lee have access to a curriculum that balances structured activities with child-initiated play. The daily rhythm includes time for physical activity, creative exploration, language development, and quiet focused tasks, ensuring a well-rounded early years experience.
James Lee Nursery School admits children after their third birthday, with intakes in September and January following an offer of a place. The school operates under local authority nursery admissions arrangements, and an application does not guarantee admission.
All three- and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week, delivered at James Lee between 9:15am and 12:15pm, Monday to Friday. Families where both parents work (or the sole parent in a lone-parent family) and meet income criteria may be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week. To qualify for the additional 15 hours, each parent must earn the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the national minimum or living wage, and earn less than £100,000 per year.
Families not eligible for the 30-hour entitlement can pay for additional hours (9:15am to 3:15pm) at a rate of £24 per day, calculated as £8 per hour for the three additional hours. Payment is required half a term in advance.
The school offers tours on Tuesday afternoons at 1:30pm. Parents wishing to visit should contact reception on 020 8741 8877 or email admin@jameslee.lbhf.sch.uk to book a slot. This structured approach to tours allows families to see the nursery in action and ask questions before applying.
Specific catchment area data is not published for James Lee, as nursery admissions operate differently from primary school admissions. Demand for places is influenced by the nursery's Outstanding Ofsted rating and its location in West Kensington, a densely populated part of London with strong demand for early years provision. Families living in neighbouring boroughs may also apply, subject to local authority policies and available capacity.
Parents should contact the school directly or consult Hammersmith and Fulham Council's admissions team for current information on application processes, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. As with all popular early years settings in London, early application is advisable.
James Lee Nursery School is a consistently high-performing early years setting with a strong track record of Outstanding Ofsted judgements. The nursery delivers a rich EYFS curriculum that balances structured teaching with responsive, child-led learning. Its commitment to outdoor education, environmental awareness, and language development sets it apart from more typical nursery provision.
The partnership within the Thames Federation provides stability and shared expertise, while the school retains its distinctive early years identity. Leadership has clear expectations for children's development, and staff are skilled in creating a warm, stimulating environment that fosters independence and resilience.
For families in West Kensington and the surrounding area seeking high-quality early years education with a strong emphasis on communication, outdoor learning, and holistic development, James Lee offers an established and highly-rated option. The availability of both 15-hour and 30-hour funded places makes the nursery accessible to a range of families, while the paid extended hours option provides flexibility for those who do not meet the criteria for full funding.
Parents should be prepared for potential competition for places, given the Outstanding rating and the nursery's reputation. Visiting during one of the scheduled tours is recommended to see the curriculum in action and assess whether the school's ethos and approach align with family priorities.
Yes, James Lee Nursery School holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating, awarded in May 2023. The nursery has achieved this top rating three times in its inspection history, demonstrating consistent excellence in early years provision. Inspectors praised the high expectations for children, the quality of language and literacy teaching, and the warm, supportive care provided by staff.
Children are admitted to James Lee Nursery School after their third birthday, with intakes in September and January. Parents should contact the school directly on 020 8741 8877 or email admin@jameslee.lbhf.sch.uk for application forms and guidance. Tours are available on Tuesday afternoons at 1:30pm. All three- and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week, with some families eligible for 30 hours depending on income and employment criteria.
James Lee Nursery School serves children aged 2 to 5, covering the nursery years before transition to primary school.
Yes, since September 2019, James Lee has been part of the Thames Federation alongside Bayonne Nursery School and Melcombe Primary School. The federation is governed by one governing body and shares an executive headteacher and senior leadership team.
The nursery is open from 9:15am to 3:15pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. All children receive 15 hours of free childcare (9:15am to 12:15pm). Eligible families can access 30 hours of free childcare per week. Additional paid hours are available for families who do not qualify for the full 30-hour entitlement.
Yes, outdoor learning is a key feature of the curriculum. Children have access to the school's garden and greenhouse, and the school organises weekly trips to Wimbledon Common, providing regular opportunities for exploration and learning in natural environments.
Get in touch with the school directly
Disclaimer
Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
Our rankings, metrics, and assessments are derived from this data using our own methodologies and represent our independent analysis rather than official standings.
While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is current, complete, or error-free. Data may change without notice, and schools and/or local authorities should be contacted directly to verify any details before making decisions.
FindMySchool does not endorse any particular school, and rankings reflect specific metrics rather than overall quality.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on information provided. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us.
