Bousfield Primary School Nursery Review

Flower beds, environmental sounds and play chosen by children give Bousfield’s nursery day its character. This is the school’s own nursery class at South Bolton Gardens in London, with September entry for children who have turned three by the end of August. Its own outdoor area makes physical exploration part of nursery life, rather than an occasional addition.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 28 and 29 September 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

The Early Years Foundation Stage framework shapes learning through play, communication and physical development. Bousfield uses continuous provision: children choose between prepared activities, while adults join their play and introduce focused tasks. Some teaching brings the class together. Children therefore have opportunities both to pursue an interest and to work with adult guidance.

Early phonics starts with noticing sounds around them. Listening, learning new vocabulary and taking turns in conversation are part of the nursery approach. In September 2022, children across early years developed communication and social skills quickly, including sharing activities and bringing friends into their play. Adults extended their vocabulary with words connected to the subject being explored.

The nursery’s summer curriculum gives concrete examples of what this looks like. Playdough, threading and work with tweezers develop hand control. A Daily Maths Meeting includes counting, shapes and estimating, while the Outdoor Nursery Area provides leaves, stones and snail shells for exploring patterns. Children tend flower beds and investigate fresh herbs grown in the school garden. These activities connect early number work and observation with things children can handle.

Mind Up introduces learning about the brain, alongside breathing activities and work on managing emotions. The same summer plan explores friendship and feelings about change, giving children language for experiences beyond the learning task itself.

For children with SEND, joining arrangements include a meeting with parents, information from their previous setting where appropriate, and extra familiarisation visits when needed. That gives staff a starting point for planning support around the individual child. The class teacher remains responsible for daily learning, supported by assistant teachers, learning support assistants and the SENDCo.

Support follows Assess, Plan, Do, Review. Pupil passports capture strengths and useful learning strategies; more detailed SEND Support Plans set targets and are reviewed termly with parents. Physical access. The listed school building has no lift to its first floor. Families whose children have mobility needs should consider how the site’s accessibility arrangements fit their child.

Meals are cooked on site, with provision for vegetarian diets, allergies and halal requirements. Bousfield is nut free, so food brought from home needs to follow that rule too. Nursery school meals carry a separate charge.

Autumn and spring parent meetings provide individual discussions about progress, followed by a written summer report. For urgent concerns or a change of collector, parents should telephone the office; email is the route for arranging a fuller discussion.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal local authority process by its deadline. The school’s Reception admission priorities do not include nursery attendance, so attending this class does not itself confer priority.

Preparation for that change is a separate matter. The nursery’s summer plan explores new beginnings and emotions associated with change. For children with SEND, the school’s transition arrangements include staff handovers, meeting the next teacher and visiting the next classroom, with additional support where needed. These practices support familiarity; they do not change admission rights.

The full nursery day runs from 9am to 3.10pm, Monday to Friday. Families can use eligible working-parent funding for the 30-hour option, or use 15 funded hours and pay for the additional 15. The working-parent eligibility code must be confirmed by 31 August for September entry and renewed every three months.

The 15-hour pattern spans two full days and half of Wednesday: either Monday and Tuesday with Wednesday morning until noon, or Wednesday from noon with Thursday and Friday. These fixed patterns matter when arranging work and other childcare. Ask the school for current additional-hours and meal charges.

Nursery children wear uniform. Their entrance is the Boltons Place gate nearest the classroom, and parents should notify the office before another person collects their child. The nursery policy gives a 3.10pm finish, while the parent handbook places nursery gate opening at 3.15pm, so distinguish session timing from collection arrangements.

Enquiries go to info@bousfield.rbkc.sch.uk or 020 7373 6544.