Fenstanton Primary School Nursery Review

Storytelling, listening activities and learning through play give Fenstanton’s nursery its character. This is the nursery within Fenstanton Primary School at Abbots Park in Tulse Hill, with an early-years curriculum built around practical exploration, conversation and books. Children’s interests help shape the learning. For families, that means topics provide a framework rather than replacing children’s own questions.

At Ofsted’s 14 and 15 June 2023 inspection, early years provision was rated Requires improvement. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The strengths and concerns both matter when choosing here.

Play carries the curriculum. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, relationships, movement, early literacy and maths, alongside creative expression and understanding the world. Here, practical experiences and conversations are the means of exploring those areas. Activities are planned around children’s existing knowledge, interests and next steps, giving adults a starting point for extending their learning.

Indoor and outdoor learning spaces feature in the opening autumn topic. Children explore equipment while practising larger movements and finer hand control, connecting physical activity with the skills needed for making marks. Later, the summer topic turns attention to the local environment and caring for nature. Outdoor exploration gives children something concrete to notice, question and discuss.

Once upon a time introduces traditional tales from different parts of the world. Children discuss and act out stories, practising vocabulary and putting events in order. Daily nursery phonics uses Little Wandle, with listening, awareness of sounds and oral blending as its nursery focus. Two to three storybooks go home each week, giving families a direct link to this work.

Movement and music add another dimension. Weekly early-years PE begins in the spring term using Moving Matters modules, with activities addressing balance, cooperation and coordination. A music specialist teaches early-years music through songs, rhymes and recordings.

In June 2023, nursery children enjoyed stories and rhymes, and early-years number learning was developing well. However, the curriculum’s progression from early years through the school lacked coherence: the knowledge children needed to acquire and retain had not been precisely mapped. Curriculum sequencing. This concern matters alongside the appealing topic content. Families should weigh the structure of learning as well as the activities themselves.

Settling begins with induction sessions and home visits. Early-years transition arrangements are adapted to children’s developmental stage and age, while the opening autumn work centres on getting to know children and helping them build relationships. These are useful foundations for a child starting school life.

The federation’s SEND approach aims to recognise needs early and involves families and the team around each child. Safeguarding guidance gives staff and visitors a direct reporting route: concerns go promptly to a designated safeguarding lead, with the school office helping locate one. Concerns must be passed on before the person leaves the premises.

Pabulum provides school meals on a rotating menu, with nursery meals charged and payments handled through ParentPay. Contact the school for current charges. Packed lunches are also permitted; nuts, sweets, fizzy drinks and glass bottles are excluded. A lunchbox needs the child’s name and class, making the practical requirements clear for families preparing food at home.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through their home local authority’s e-admissions portal. Treat that application as a separate task from joining the nursery; familiarity with the school does not secure admission.

Nursery applications go through the school office. For enquiries, use office@fenstantonprimary.co.uk or telephone 020 8674 3311.

The EYFS uniform combines a logo green polo and blue sweatshirt with mid-grey trousers or skirts, grey socks or tights and black shoes. Trainers are excluded. Opportunities to obtain second-hand uniform are offered during the year.

Proposed amalgamation. A consultation proposed combining Fenstanton with Holy Trinity, Church of England Primary School from 1 September 2026. This was a proposal for a new school, so families should distinguish the consultation from confirmation that the change took place.