Ashmole Primary School Nursery Review

Number time, outdoor play and a story before home give Ashmole’s nursery its rhythm. This is the school’s own nursery class on Ashmole Street, London, with morning, afternoon and full-time patterns. The practical distinction matters: children attending different sessions experience different parts of the day.

A single nursery class sits within this community primary school. Its timetable combines group teaching with longer periods for activities indoors and outside, rather than filling the session with carpet time.

The 2025–2026 nursery timetable sets out a recognisable sequence: registration, a number or topic carpet session, activities with focus groups, outdoor provision, then phonics. Morning children finish with a snack and a story. These are separate parts of the session, giving families a concrete picture of how group learning, play and care fit together. Timetables are subject to change.

Across the afternoons, Music Time, Fine Motor activities and Circle Time/C&L sit alongside indoor and outdoor provision. Wednesday includes PE and activities in the hall; Friday finishes its reading slot with Buddy Reading. Full-time children therefore encounter afternoon activities as well as the morning programme.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes practical form here through number work, communication, movement, music and stories. Continuous provision means periods set aside for activities, with focus groups providing a different teaching format. Outdoor learning has its own morning slot and also appears in afternoon provision, so it is part of the timetable rather than simply a break between lessons.

In June 2023, Ofsted identified exceptional progress in reading beginning in Nursery. An early-years mathematics example showed children explaining what was wrong with a repeating pattern. That is a useful distinction for parents: the learning involves explaining an answer, as well as recognising it.

Snacks and lunch have designated places in the nursery timetable. Afternoon children have snack time before stories or singing, while lunch precedes outdoor play for children staying through the middle of the day. The school lunch menu includes sandwiches with cheese, egg mayonnaise or tuna mayonnaise, plus fruit and water. The application form asks families to record dietary requirements and food allergies.

For children with identified special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), settling is planned with parents. The November 2025 SEND policy describes key-person visits before a nursery start and allows changes to the settling period by agreement. A meeting after settling reviews the child’s learning and progress, giving parents a point to discuss how the start has gone.

The class teacher is the first contact for learning concerns, with the SENDCo coordinating additional support. Families of children with SEND are invited to review progress at least once each term. Accessible downstairs classrooms and two disabled toilets are school facilities; individual arrangements belong in the discussion about a child’s needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and does not confer priority under Ashmole’s listed oversubscription criteria. Families must make a separate application through Lambeth Council. For September 2027 entry, the deadline is 15 January 2027. Treat that application as a separate task, even while your child is attending nursery.

Transition support is distinct from admission. For children with SEND moving between classes, parents meet the new teaching team, support information is handed over in advance, and a transition book can be made where it would help. Those arrangements support continuity of care; they do not determine who receives a place.

The universal funded entitlement is 15 hours, taken as either a morning or afternoon session. Full-time provision is linked to 30-hour eligibility, which parents check online. Nursery applications go directly to the school, using its application form to join the waiting list; children enter in September or January.

For enquiries, email info@ashmoleprimaryschool.org.uk or telephone 0207 735 2419. School tours require booking, with morning and afternoon options on the first Thursday of each month. This gives prospective families an organised opportunity to see the school.

Uniform applies to all pupils: a navy school-logo jumper, cardigan or sweatshirt, a white shirt or polo, and grey or navy bottoms are among the permitted choices. Black school shoes or entirely black trainers are required. For September 2026, nursery starts were staggered, with individual dates communicated to families by letter.