North Islington Nursery School is a state-maintained nursery school and children's centre in Finsbury Park, London, with foundations laid in 1930, making it one of Islington's longest-established early years settings. Rated Good by Ofsted in January 2023, the school serves approximately 108 children aged 3 months to 5 years across a purpose-built site on Tollington Park. Led by headteacher Sally Franklin, the school combines qualified teacher expertise with childcare professionals to deliver a play-based curriculum in what inspectors described as a "language-rich" environment. The school offers both term-time core provision (9.30am to 3.30pm) and extended childcare hours (8am to 5.30pm for 49 weeks per year) to support working families. As a local authority nursery, it serves the diverse Finsbury Park community with an inclusive ethos captured in its mission: "Happy to be here – A place where everyone feels valued, included and is listened to."
North Islington Nursery School operates as both an educational setting and a children's centre, providing integrated early years services and family support beyond traditional nursery care. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2023 noted the high quality of care and education provided to even the youngest children, with inspectors commenting on how well children engaged and interacted throughout the day. The setting prides itself on placing children at the heart of everything it does, working to ensure every child has the best possible start in life through play and interaction with knowledgeable adults.
North Islington Nursery School has served inner-city families since 1930, establishing a heritage of nearly 95 years in early childhood education. The school's founding during a period of significant expansion in state nursery provision reflects its roots in progressive early years practice. Today, the school retains its commitment to accessible, high-quality early education while adapting to meet contemporary family needs through its dual role as nursery school and children's centre.
The school's mission statement articulates a clear ethos: "Happy to be here – A place where everyone feels valued, included and is listened to. A place where we play, develop a love for learning and have fun!" This philosophy underpins daily practice, with staff creating an environment where enjoyment and developmental learning are equally prioritized. Inspectors noted that the inclusive practice is a particular strength, with children feeling happy, safe, and secure throughout the nursery.
The atmosphere reflects the close, affectionate bonds between children and staff. Even the youngest children settle quickly and explore confidently, supported by adults who know them well and respond attentively to their needs. Staff promote early literacy, numeracy, and language development through play, ensuring the environment remains rich in opportunities for communication and interaction. The school's inclusive approach extends to children with special educational needs, who receive expert support identified at an early stage.
Governed by a body that includes parent representatives, North Islington operates within Islington's local authority framework while maintaining its distinct identity as a specialist early years setting. The combination of teacher-qualified staff and childcare professionals creates a team equipped to deliver both educational depth and nurturing care. This dual expertise allows the school to offer flexible provision that supports a wide range of family circumstances, from part-time term-time places to full wraparound care for working parents.
As a nursery school catering to children from 3 months to 5 years, North Islington does not participate in statutory Key Stage assessments. The school's educational approach centers on play-based learning aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, with teacher-qualified staff designing a curriculum that responds to children's interests and developmental stages.
Inspectors observed that staff demonstrate high-quality care and education consistently. The curriculum is described as "rich and exciting," built around children's interests and experiences rather than a rigid predetermined structure. Staff use their expertise to promote early reading, writing, and number skills through purposeful play, extending children's language development at every opportunity. The school's commitment to being "language-rich" ensures that communication and vocabulary development are embedded throughout daily activities.
Children with special educational needs receive targeted support, with staff trained to identify needs at an early stage and intervene appropriately. The school's inclusive practice means that all children can access the curriculum and make progress from their individual starting points. Staff build strong, positive relationships with children, creating the secure attachments essential for effective early learning.
The extended provision, running from 8am to 5.30pm for up to 49 weeks per year, allows continuity of care and education for children whose families need wraparound support. This flexibility is particularly valuable for working parents who require childcare beyond traditional term-time hours. Core session provision (9.30am to 3.30pm, term-time only) remains available for families seeking a more traditional nursery pattern.
All 3 to 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of free early education, which North Islington delivers as a council-managed nursery. The school also accepts younger children from 3 months, providing continuity across the early years. Nutritious meals and snacks are provided, with children encouraged to try new foods suited to their dietary needs, supporting healthy development and establishing positive eating habits.
North Islington's facilities include an extremely well-equipped outdoor area that Ofsted inspectors highlighted during their 2023 visit. The outdoor space features large climbing equipment, tunnels, and dedicated planting areas where children develop physical skills, engage with nature, and learn about growing. The mud kitchen allows for messy, creative play, while dough-making and potion-mixing activities encourage sensory exploration and imaginative development.
Indoor spaces support a range of learning experiences, though the school's website notes that detailed information about specific indoor facilities is still being developed. The building includes accessibility features such as a lift to the first floor and an evacuation lift for emergency use, ensuring that the setting is inclusive for children and families with mobility needs.
Daily life at North Islington emphasizes child-led exploration within a carefully planned environment. Staff observe children's interests and extend their learning through responsive interactions, creating opportunities for deep engagement rather than timetabled activities. Children enjoy spending time both indoors and outdoors, with access to resources that support physical development, creative expression, early literacy, and mathematical thinking.
The school's role as a children's centre means that family support services are integrated into the setting, providing resources and guidance for parents beyond traditional nursery provision. This holistic approach recognizes that children's development is supported by strong home-school partnerships and that families may need different types of assistance at various stages.
Social development is fostered through mixed-age play and group activities. Children learn to share, take turns, and cooperate with peers, developing the social skills that will serve them in future educational settings. Staff model positive relationships and intervene sensitively to support children's emotional regulation and conflict resolution.
North Islington Nursery School operates within Islington Council's admissions framework for local authority-managed nurseries. The application process requires parents to register their interest with Islington Council, naming their preferred nursery or nurseries on a registration form. Once registered, families receive an admissions form to complete, which joins an application list for the school.
When places become available, the council considers all children in the relevant age band based on the information provided on application forms. The primary admissions criteria are the number of places available in each age band and distance from the school. Importantly, the length of time a child has been on the waiting list is not a consideration in allocation decisions. Admissions are processed throughout the year as vacancies arise, typically coinciding with half-termly breaks. Most allocations occur for the autumn term, when the highest number of vacancies usually emerges.
With approximately 108 children on roll and provision from 3 months to 5 years, the school accommodates a range of age groups, though specific data on subscription rates or application-to-offer ratios is not publicly available. Families seeking a place should contact the School Admissions team at Islington Council (admissions@islington.gov.uk) or the school directly on 020 7527 4844 for current availability and waiting times.
The school's location on Tollington Park places it within walking distance of Finsbury Park Station, making it accessible to families across the borough and neighboring areas. However, there are no parking facilities at the nursery, with only limited on-street parking available nearby. Families should plan for drop-off and collection using public transport, walking, or cycling.
It is crucial to note that attendance at North Islington Nursery School does not guarantee automatic entry to a particular primary school. Parents must apply separately for primary school places through Islington's coordinated admissions process when their child reaches the appropriate age. Families should plan ahead and understand the distinct admissions routes for nursery and primary education.
North Islington Nursery School stands out as a well-established early years setting with nearly a century of experience serving Islington families. The combination of heritage and contemporary practice creates an environment where traditional values of nurturing care meet modern understanding of child development. The school's Good Ofsted rating reflects consistent quality in both education and safeguarding, with inspectors noting particular strengths in inclusive practice, language development, and the expertise of staff.
For families seeking flexible, high-quality early years provision in Finsbury Park, North Islington offers a compelling option. The dual structure as nursery school and children's centre provides both educational depth and practical support for working parents. The extended hours (8am to 5.30pm, 49 weeks per year) are particularly valuable for families needing wraparound care, while term-time core sessions suit those seeking more traditional patterns.
The school's play-based curriculum, delivered by teacher-qualified staff supported by childcare professionals, ensures that learning is both developmentally appropriate and purposeful. The emphasis on language development, early literacy and numeracy, and social-emotional growth prepares children well for transition to primary school. Children with special educational needs receive expert, early intervention, making this an inclusive setting where all children can thrive.
Outstanding outdoor facilities, including climbing equipment, planting areas, and the mud kitchen, provide rich opportunities for physical development and nature engagement. The school's commitment to healthy eating and nutritious meals supports children's overall wellbeing. The warm atmosphere noted by inspectors, where even the youngest children feel confident and secure, speaks to the quality of relationships between staff and children.
Prospective parents should be aware of the local authority admissions process and the importance of registering early, particularly given the school's established reputation and the general demand for high-quality early years places in Islington. Distance from the school is a key criterion in allocations, so families living nearby have an advantage. The lack of parking may be a consideration for some families, though the school's proximity to Finsbury Park Station mitigates this for those comfortable using public transport.
North Islington Nursery School represents a strong choice for families seeking a nurturing, educationally rigorous start to their child's learning journey, particularly those who value heritage, inclusive practice, and the security of a well-established local authority setting.
Yes, North Islington Nursery School is rated Good by Ofsted (January 2023) and provides high-quality early years education and care. Inspectors noted strengths in inclusive practice, language development, and the expertise of staff who create a secure, stimulating environment for children aged 3 months to 5 years. The school's nearly 95 years of heritage combined with contemporary early years practice makes it a strong choice for Finsbury Park families.
Applications are managed through Islington Council's nursery admissions process. Register your interest with the council by naming North Islington on a registration form, then complete the admissions form sent to you. Allocations are based on available places in each age band and distance from the school. Contact Islington School Admissions (admissions@islington.gov.uk) or the school directly on 020 7527 4844 for current availability.
The school accepts children from 3 months to 5 years old, providing continuity across the early years. Both part-time and full-time places are available, with core sessions (9.30am to 3.30pm, term-time) and extended provision (8am to 5.30pm, 49 weeks per year) to suit different family needs.
No. There is no automatic entry to primary school from nursery attendance. Parents must apply separately through Islington's coordinated primary school admissions process when their child is ready to start reception. Nursery attendance does not confer priority in primary school allocations.
The school offers an extremely well-equipped outdoor area with large climbing equipment, tunnels, planting areas, and a mud kitchen. Indoor spaces support play-based learning across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The building includes accessibility features such as lifts to ensure inclusive access. Nutritious meals and snacks are provided as part of the daily provision.
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