St Barnabas and St Philip's CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Dinosaurs, chicks and trips to local services give this nursery curriculum its character. The nursery at St Barnabas and St Philip's CofE Primary School in Kensington has its own learning plan within the primary school, with stories, number work, creative activities and movement threaded through seasonal topics.

Ofsted rated early years provision Good following the inspection on 30 April and 1 May 2024. That judgement covers the school's early years provision; it is not a separate nursery rating.

The 2025-26 nursery plan moves from learning about themselves to celebrations, growing things and transport. Books give those themes something concrete to work with: the Harry and the Dinosaurs series accompanies dinosaur learning, while The Gruffalo and Rosie’s Walk feature alongside transport. Daily Supported Reading gives books a regular place in the learning programme. Early writing includes making marks before moving into planned work with lists, instructions and stories.

Number learning is equally specific. Children compare quantities, sort objects and explore shapes and patterns. Activities involving taking or giving small numbers connect counting with actions, rather than leaving it as a recited sequence. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage, the combination of language, movement, personal development and creative work gives children several ways to engage with learning.

Painting progresses from primary colours to mixing colours; later activities include puppets, weaving and simple sewing. Music involves stopping and starting, copying a leader and telling stories through sound. Dance, gymnastics and ball skills add movement. Planned experiences include Forest School, a supermarket visit and trips to a police station and fire station, connecting classroom themes with places children can recognise.

In April and May 2024, early years learning was organised around selected knowledge and vocabulary, with opportunities to return to important ideas and practise them. For parents, that gives the themed activities a clear purpose: children encounter concepts again rather than moving straight from one topic to another.

Individual learning is tracked through observations and key working in early years. This gives staff a way to follow each child's progress and plan support around their learning. The school's assessment approach also includes meetings where parents can discuss progress and issues affecting it.

For children needing additional help, the school identifies and assesses learning, physical and emotional or behavioural needs, with support provided internally or through outside agencies. Its Inclusion Manager can be contacted through the office. That offers families a direct route to the team responsible for coordinating support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the normal deadline. For 2027-28 entry, the school directs applicants to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's primary admissions website. Applicants seeking a faith-based place must also return a supplementary information form directly to the school. Treat this as a separate application, even when your child already attends nursery.

Nursery enquiries can go through the school office at admin@sbsp.rbkc.sch.uk or by telephone on 0207 937 9599. General school tours can be requested using the form linked from the admissions page, giving prospective parents a way to arrange a visit.

Wraparound care. The school's before-school and after-school childcare is for Reception through Year 6. Families choosing nursery should therefore plan their childcare around that age restriction.