Holmewood Nursery School: learning through growth and change

Chickens, an allotment and a garden gave Holmewood's youngest learners something real to investigate at the July 2023 inspection. Caring for animals and growing food brought the curriculum's theme of growth and change into everyday activity. This is nursery education with soil on its hands.

Holmewood Nursery School serves children aged two to four at Upper Tulse Hill, alongside Tree House Children's Centre. The nursery school itself is the setting here. In July 2023, children developed independence through familiar routines, while adults helped them practise sharing and resolve disagreements. Those small social skills matter as much as learning to count.

At the July 2023 inspection, the Holmewood curriculum connected seven areas of early learning through growth, change, books and stories. For parents, those activities linked language, number and children's understanding of the world rather than treating each as an isolated lesson. Comparing potatoes developed understanding of size; handling dough provided practice in counting pieces.

In July 2023, daily key groups gave children time to talk about their feelings and news. Adults introduced vocabulary and helped children use it in conversation. Stories became active experiences, with props and opportunities to perform the action. Ofsted found that language development ran through children's learning and that staff enabled each child to participate. Conversation was part of the teaching.

At the July 2023 inspection, books were accessible across the day, and families could borrow from the school library. Listening activities began with surrounding sounds before introducing sounds within speech when children were ready. Outdoors, children planted flowers and seeds, tended the allotment and helped care for chickens. Clay, glue and paint invite messy exploration. Clothes need to cope with it.

Settling begins before the first session. A Key Person and another staff member seek to visit nearby families at home; families living further away meet their Key Person at school. These conversations cover children's preferences and personalities, giving staff a starting point for getting to know them. An induction meeting also introduces families to more of the team.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities includes Makaton, Talking Tables, music therapy and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). The SENCo guides staff, with specialist advice sought where needed. In July 2023, individual support plans set out children's next steps and were revisited with parents. Adapted activities and individual or group work helped children participate.

Fruit and milk are provided free each day, with drinking water accessible throughout. Children attending full time bring a labelled packed lunch: nuts and nut ingredients are excluded, alongside sweets, chocolate, crisps, biscuit packs and drinks. Water accompanies lunch. Families eligible for free school meals receive vouchers towards the lunch they supply.

At the July 2023 inspection, hygiene routines included toothbrushing, handwashing and toileting. Inspectors found safeguarding effective, with staff training and clear systems for recording concerns. Links with the children's centre helped families access professional support.

Attending Holmewood does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat choosing a nursery and securing a primary school place as separate decisions.

In July 2023, preparation for that move included practising independence, listening to others and exploring sounds in speech. These are useful foundations for primary school learning. They do not secure admission.

Choose between a morning session, 8:45am to 11:45am; an afternoon session, 12:30pm to 3:30pm; or a full day, 8:45am to 2:45pm. Breakfast club begins at 7:45am, and paid after-school options finish at 3:30pm, 4:30pm or 5:45pm. The school operates Monday to Friday, with term holidays and additional closure days to factor into childcare plans.

The application form includes universal funding of 15 hours for three- and four-year-olds, working-parent funding and funded categories for two-year-olds. Eligibility for a funded full-time place does not ensure one is allocated. Paid half days, full days and extended care are also offered; contact the school for current charges. Contributions to the school fund are voluntary.

Applications go through the school office, which arranges an information session for families to visit. Email admin@holmewoodnurseryschool.org.uk to enquire. Dress children in washable, comfortable clothes and safe shoes, with spare clothing on their own peg. Jewellery is prohibited. Tell the Key Person when your child arrives and notify staff if somebody different will collect them.