The Children's House School Nursery Review

An upstairs open-plan room and regular trips to community gardens give this Islington nursery its character: classroom activities are paired with learning beyond the building. Nursery and Pre-Reception share the upper room at the Early Years site on Elmore Street, with a teacher and teaching assistant assigned to each small class.

Children can join from two, although most begin at two and a half. They move into Pre-Reception at the start of the year in which they turn four. A site move ahead. Early Years is due to relocate to King Henry's Walk in 2027. The school hopes to be ready for Spring Term, but the departure date remains flexible. Families should factor the changed journey into their plans.

Each morning and afternoon starts with a teacher-led group focus, followed by related table activities. Role play and early writing give children practical ways to explore the same ideas. There is structure, with room for hands-on exploration.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together children's learning and development, including language, movement and social skills. Here, visiting specialists teach dance and Spanish; storytelling, drumming, puppet performances and animal workshops add different ways to participate. Cooking also forms part of the activity timetable, with examples including vegetable frittatas and banana-and-date muffins.

Outdoor learning uses scheduled visits to Almorah Gardens, the Prep playground and King Henry's Walk Community Garden. These outings make local spaces part of the nursery experience rather than confining learning to the classroom.

The March 2026 ISI inspection found that early-years teaching responded to individual interests and needs, with children making good progress. Adults used questions to expand vocabulary, while carefully chosen mathematical resources built understanding and confidence. Physical development included dough modelling, play equipment indoors and outside, and specialist PE: small hand movements and larger body movements both received attention.

The first half-term concentrates on settling and becoming familiar with routines. Teacher-and-assistant class teams provide the everyday structure, while the early-years atmosphere in March 2026 was calm and purposeful, with supportive adult relationships helping children's emotional wellbeing.

For children needing additional help, the SENCo coordinates interventions in language, physical development and social or emotional skills. Targets are reviewed each term, with parents, teachers and external professionals working together when needed. That gives support a shared focus across home and school.

Lunch can be brought from home or supplied by The Little Lunch Company, which delivers hot and cold options daily. Families have a practical choice rather than one compulsory meal arrangement.

Early-years supervision, staffing ratios and handovers were effective in March 2026. Recruitment checks. At school level, some staff references had not been verified when the inspection began; this was corrected before it ended, with consistent verification remaining a recommended action. Incorrect absence codes and delayed afternoon registration were also corrected, with continued consistency required.

For children enrolled in Pre-Reception, the school guarantees an offer of a Reception place. This is a specific arrangement for that group, with one registration covering the Early Years and Prep sites. It should not be extended into a promise for every child simply attending Nursery.

Initial admission remains dependent on space. A separate deposit is required when accepting a place at each site, so families should distinguish the continuing-place offer from the steps needed to accept it.

Monday to Friday, mornings run from 8:45am to noon and full days from 8:45am to 3pm. Optional breakfast provision begins at 7:45am, and after-nursery clubs run from 3pm to 6pm. The office arranges Scopay access for ad hoc club and extended-care bookings.

Universal funding for children over three is offered for 15 hours weekly, noon to 3pm. Eligible families can access a further 15 hours, 3pm to 6pm. For eligible children from two, the fully funded pattern is noon to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across 36 weeks following academic terms. Morning attendance and enrichment activities are excluded from funding; ask the school for current charges.

Nursery children do not wear uniform. Private Early Years tours can be arranged, and enquiries go to admissions@childrenshouseschool.co.uk or 020 7354 2113, option 2.