Sulivan Primary School Nursery Review

Daily outdoor play, stories and planting give Sulivan’s nursery its character. For children aged 3–4, this is an introduction to school life that combines time learning together with opportunities to explore independently. The nursery belongs to Sulivan Primary School’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), alongside Reception, and nursery children participate in the wider life of the school.

Learning alternates between activities led by adults, work in small groups and purposeful play. Staff join children’s play, using questions and conversation to extend their language. Stories introduce vocabulary and encourage the beginnings of reading and writing, so talking is part of learning rather than simply a break between activities.

The EYFS curriculum draws on Development Matters and the EYFS Statutory Framework. In parent terms, it brings together language, movement and emotional development with early literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. Adults introduce skills, then children practise through classroom activities of their own. This gives a session both direction and room for independent choices.

Outside, children have daily opportunities to move, investigate their surroundings and learn about growing plants. Forest EYFS adds a named emphasis on learning through nature. The school grounds include a wild garden and the permanently relocated RHS No Adults Allowed Garden, giving the nursery’s outdoor emphasis a concrete setting.

Early computing starts with physical objects. At the June 2024 inspection, nursery children were learning simple instructions for moving toys and objects: an accessible starting point for thinking about sequences. Shared stories also invite children to act out and retell familiar tales, bringing speaking and imaginative play together.

Settling starts with cooperation between staff and parents. The nursery team works with families as children join, aiming to help them feel secure in their new setting. That relationship continues through an online Learning Journey: parents can see their child’s learning and contribute photographs or videos from home. Weekly home activities revisit classroom learning, while a curriculum overview each half term gives families ideas for supporting it.

Lunch brings a practical choice for children staying all day. A charged hot meal or a packed lunch is available. Taylor Shaw provides the school’s catering and accommodates allergies and medical diets through a request process. Packed lunches must exclude nuts and nut products; families can therefore plan food around both preferences and dietary requirements.

For children needing additional support, the school uses Assess, Plan, Do, Review to identify needs, organise help and check its effect. Parents discuss the level of support with staff and can arrange a meeting with the SENDCo. Classroom adaptations, targeted interventions and specialist agency involvement form different stages of that process.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Hammersmith & Fulham Council using eAdmissions, even when their child already attends Sulivan’s nursery.

For entry in September 2027, the deadline is midnight on 15 January 2027. Applications received after that deadline are late and are processed after 16 April 2027. Treat the Reception application as a separate task in the family calendar, rather than assuming that continuing at the school happens automatically.

The two nursery choices are a morning place, from 8:50am to 11:50am, and a full-time place, from 8:50am to 3:20pm. The morning option covers the 15-hour weekly entitlement for three- and four-year-olds. A full-time place requires either a 30-hour code or payment of a top-up, payable each half term. Ask the school office for current charges, including nursery meals.

Children wear school uniform. Branded items include a green polo shirt and green sweatshirt or cardigan; second-hand uniform is also stocked at school. Children are collected at their classroom doors, keeping the handover linked to the classroom team.

Nursery applications go directly to the school. Families can use the nursery application form to register interest and arrange a visit, or contact admissions@sulivanprimaryschool.org.uk. Weekly school tours require advance booking, and Open Morning tours last 30 minutes. A visit gives families an opportunity to discuss the session choice and see the learning spaces.