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Nursery at La Petite Ecole Francaise
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
French and English run through stories, songs and conversation here, with a separate nursery playground giving younger children their own outdoor space. La Petite Ecole Française’s nursery sits within an independent bilingual school at 73 Saint Charles Square, London. Early-years classes have a ceiling of 18 children, supported by a teacher and an assistant; learning in smaller groups is part of the classroom organisation.
The school announced a Pre-Nursery class for two-year-olds for September 2025. Petite Section is its Nursery stage, with French Ministry of Education accreditation through the AEFE network. For parents, the defining choice is a childhood spent learning through two languages, alongside the routines of a school day.
The French curriculum provides the starting point, alongside the English early years foundation stage (EYFS). In everyday terms, children practise communicating, exploring ideas, moving and getting along with others. Songs, projects, stories and structured activities bring the two languages into their learning rather than reserving them for separate vocabulary exercises.
The May 2025 ISI inspection found that early-years teaching developed children’s reasoning and confident communication in both languages. Adults introduce expressive vocabulary, ask questions that take an idea further and share books in French and English. Children learn to explain their thinking and listen to someone else’s. That gives bilingual learning a practical purpose.
Dance, English, sport and music feature in weekly specialist teaching. Groups are reduced to nine for specialist sessions, while the remaining children work with their usual teacher. The arrangement creates time for more focused teaching as well as movement and music.
Light classrooms are complemented by a gardening area and the younger children’s separate playground. In May 2025, early-years children practised sharing wheeled toys, including scooters, trikes and bikes. Local outings and school theme weeks extend their experiences beyond classroom activities. Tidying resources together also turns the end of an activity into practice in responsibility and cooperation.
Talking about feelings is part of early-years care. In May 2025, adults helped children recognise emotions, consider other people’s feelings and work through disagreements. Taking turns with equipment gives those conversations an immediate use.
Apetito supplies an optional hot lunch with dessert on the four full school days. Choices include vegan, vegetarian, halal, dairy-free and free-from meals; pork is excluded. Families should email the office about allergies before their child starts so an appropriate meal can be ordered. Parents provide the mid-morning snack, with fruit or vegetables encouraged.
Communication with families takes place in French and English. For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school policy provides for individual plans reviewed each term with parents and relevant professionals. An initial meeting assesses whether the school can meet a child’s needs, and continued provision is reviewed. External specialist sessions are paid for by families; where an AVS classroom assistant is required, parents recruit and pay that assistant. These arrangements matter when assessing the practical support a child will receive.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families should treat Reception admission as a separate process and apply through the normal route by the applicable deadline for their chosen school.
La Petite Ecole Française’s admission criteria consider space, waiting-list duration, sibling connections and its ability to provide for a child’s welfare. Nursery attendance is not listed as a priority criterion. Familiarity with the school should therefore be kept separate from expectations about securing a place.
The usual day runs from 9am to 3.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday collection. The homepage gives a 12.30pm finish, while the admission policy gives 12.20pm. Agree the collection time before making work or childcare arrangements.
The school advertises Garderie from 8am before school and from 3.30pm to 5pm. Confirm nursery eligibility and available days with the office before relying on these hours. Club participation depends on a child’s age and interests. Ask the office about current charges for care and optional lunch.
Early Years funding is advertised in patterns of 15 or 30 hours a week for under-fives, excluding fees paid by an employer or Bourse. Eligibility and the applicable entitlement should be confirmed with the office. Visits can be arranged by emailing admin@lapef.co.uk or calling 020 8960 1278.
The school announced a Pre-Nursery class for two-year-olds for September 2025.
Non-French-speaking children are welcomed in Maternelle, which includes Nursery.
Early-years classes have a maximum of 18 children with a teacher and an assistant. Specialist lessons use smaller groups of nine.
An optional hot lunch and dessert is provided except on Wednesdays. Parents supply the mid-morning snack and should notify the office of allergies before their child starts.
No. Treat Reception admission separately. The school’s listed admission criteria do not include nursery attendance as a priority.
