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Nursery at Hargrave Park 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Mark making with different materials gives Hargrave Park’s early years provision a practical starting point: children experiment before their learning becomes more formal. The nursery class is for three- and four-year-olds, within Hargrave Park School in Archway. Under-threes childcare is a separate provision.
Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at its May 2023 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery inspection.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the early learning stage here. In May 2023, children explored making marks with tools, materials and colours, building experience they could draw on in later art activities. This gives parents a concrete example of learning through experimentation, rather than simply completing a finished picture.
Visual timetables feature in every classroom, giving children a visible guide to their routines. Early years staff also use Leuven Scales, which look at children’s involvement and wellbeing. Box Full of Feelings is among the interventions used to help young children recognise and describe emotions. These approaches connect participation in learning with how a child feels.
Language development. In May 2023, adults’ support for early years language varied, leaving some children with too few opportunities to develop more demanding vocabulary. This is a material consideration for families whose child needs help with communication.
Class teachers work alongside full-time support staff. The early years attendance policy makes the key person a contact for families needing help with attendance or punctuality, and requires parents to telephone when children will be absent or late. Regular communication has a practical purpose: keeping routines consistent and identifying difficulties early.
The school’s August 2022 charging policy specifies a settling period without childcare charges over one consecutive Monday-to-Friday week for two-, three- and five-day places. Its meal arrangements distinguish between ages and attendance patterns: meals are included in childcare charges for under-threes, while children have no term-time meal charge from the term after their third birthday. Holiday meals can attract a separate charge where applicable. Nappies and wipes sit outside childcare charges.
For children needing SEND support, Individual Plans set targets and are reviewed each term with families. Across the school, inspectors in May 2023 found that some SEND adaptations did not sufficiently meet pupils’ needs. They asked adults to use available information consistently to support learning. Tapestry lets parents see staff observations and contribute information from home. Early Years classrooms have wheelchair access, although the wider school building has stairs and no lift. That distinction matters when considering access beyond the classroom.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
For children with SEND, transition support can include meetings, visual materials and visits to the next classroom. Transition books can also go home during the holidays. These are ways to prepare a child for change, separate from the decision about admission.
The nursery application form is reached through Join us in Nursery. Enquiries go to the school office on 020 7272 3989 or office@hargravepark.islington.sch.uk.
Islington’s May 2026 early years policy sets out the universal entitlement for three- and four-year-olds: 570 hours annually from the term after their third birthday, equivalent to 15 hours weekly in term time. Eligible working parents can apply for an additional 15 hours, giving up to 30 weekly hours over 38 weeks.
The school’s August 2022 childcare policy distinguishes term-time core days from all-year extended days, with attendance arranged in consecutive blocks or morning and afternoon patterns. Paid childcare is restricted to working or studying parents and the days they require for work or study, within those models. Additional hours are chargeable, and trips may require contributions. Refer to the school for current charges before agreeing a contract.
The nursery class is for three- and four-year-olds. Hargrave Park also has separate under-threes provision.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process.
Early years provision was judged Good in May 2023. Adults’ development of children’s language was inconsistent, with some children needing more opportunities to learn and use ambitious vocabulary.
Tapestry allows parents to view staff observations and add observations from home.
The August 2022 policy includes meals in under-threes childcare charges. From the term after the third birthday, term-time meals carry no charge, while holiday meals may be charged separately. Nappies and wipes are excluded from childcare charges.
