St John's Upper Holloway CofE Primary School Nursery

Vegetable beds, sea-themed yoga and stories give this nursery a practical, playful character. Children aged two, three and four attend the nursery at this Church of England primary in Upper Holloway. Families of any faith, or none, are welcomed.

The 2026-27 admissions policy sets normal capacity at 26 full-time equivalent places, combining part-time and full-time attendance. Capacity may rise to 28 in the spring and summer if space allows. In June 2022, Ofsted found that the youngest children had a space of their own while also participating in the wider early-years provision.

Birth to 5 Matters guides the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. For parents, the balance is between activities directed by adults and play chosen by children. Teachers set goals for the first; in the second, they join children's play and use conversation to develop ideas while leaving children in charge of its direction.

Themes connect stories with practical learning. The nursery's summer 2026 Water plan included planting vegetables, making garden signs and creating sea collages. Number Bingo linked quantities with numerals, while Little Wandle Foundation for Phonics developed awareness of rhyme and sounds. These are recognisable early foundations for reading, counting and expressing ideas.

Physical learning has concrete settings and activities: the summer plan included climbing and balancing on equipment in the Key Stage 1 playground, catching balls and Under the sea Cosmic Kids yoga. Garden-centre and travel-agent role play provided opportunities to invent stories. The programme also extended beyond the classroom: summer 2026 plans included Early Years Bikeability and a Little Angel Theatre outing.

Adult interaction matters here. In June 2022, children explored actual sea creatures, with staff using conversation to deepen learning and encouraging children to do things independently.

Settling begins before the first session. New EYFS starters receive a home visit from the early-years team and a SeeSaw welcome video explaining the adults and daily routines. Parents use the Early Years entrance and can remain briefly to help their child settle.

Communication continues through Seesaw, where nursery staff share stories, songs and videos and families can contribute pictures or learning from home. Friday afternoon Learning Review presentations give parents another way to discuss the week's activities; the presentation can also be accessed online.

Lunch is staggered so nursery children can eat before older pupils enter the hall. For eligible two-, three- and four-year-olds, meals, consumables and additional activities carry no charge, although parents must supply nappies and wipes where needed.

SEND support involves the class teacher, SENCO and, where appropriate, external specialists. Children with a SEND Support Plan have reviews with families in the autumn, spring and summer terms; Education, Health and Care Plans have an annual review. Toileting readiness. The admissions policy requires children to be toilet trained before starting; where SEND explains a difficulty, staff and the SENCO agree a toileting or intimate-care plan with parents. This deserves attention before accepting a start date.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the 2026-27 Reception criteria. Parents must submit a separate application through Islington admissions within the normal application round. Treat this as a fresh application, even if your child already feels settled here.

Transition activities serve a different purpose. A summer stay-and-play session lets new Reception starters and their parents meet the teaching team. Children moving between classes have a summer classroom visit, and extra visits may be arranged according to individual needs and school resources. Familiarity can help with the change; it does not determine admission.

Both age groups attend during school terms, Monday to Friday. Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoons from 12.20pm to 3.20pm; full-time attendance spans 8.45am to 3.20pm. A further pattern spreads 15 hours across two and a half days. Families can therefore choose between shorter daily sessions and fewer, longer days.

The funding model includes 15 hours weekly for three- and four-year-olds. Eligible working parents can access additional funded hours from the school term after their child's third birthday. Some two-year-olds qualify for 15 hours. Additional paid attendance depends on availability; a full-time place for a two-year-old also requires sufficient space in that provision. Contact the school for current additional-hours charges.

Nursery applications use the Nursery Admission Form alongside the parental childcare-entitlement declaration. Visits can be booked through the office on 020 7272 2780, and enquiries sent to admin@st-johnsholloway.islington.sch.uk. Check the term calendar when planning childcare: pupils do not attend on staff-training days.