Maytree Nursery School: nursery life and the next step

Yellow Room gives younger two-year-olds their own space and garden, while children aged two to four also play together across Maytree. That combination shapes the provision: younger children can watch older peers, with a separate base available for them.

At 4 Allingham Road, Maytree is a Lambeth local-authority nursery school with a Children's Centre, rather than a nursery class within a primary school. It educates over 100 children each year. Teachers, early years educators and teaching assistants make up the nursery team.

Ofsted's ungraded visit on 23 April 2024 retained the school's Outstanding judgement, but warned that a graded inspection could produce a lower outcome. That qualification matters when weighing the rating.

Play drives the curriculum. Staff observe children's interests, discuss what they notice and plan activities daily and weekly. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, manage feelings and move confidently with early reading, maths, creativity and understanding the world. These skills grow through practical experiences.

The open-plan nursery has three indoor areas, plus a garden with distinct Forest School and pond spaces. Clay, water, paint and soil feature in children's explorations; outdoor climbing and running form part of the day. Comfortable clothes have a purpose here.

Maytree's 2024-25 curriculum plan shows how everyday play becomes learning: children sort objects, measure ingredients during cooking and eventually follow a playdough recipe. Book sharing develops into storytelling, while managing coats and toileting builds independence. These are planned steps, rather than promises that every child reaches the same point together.

Music has its own area, where children sing and experiment with instruments. Interactive Music Making supports group communication; individual music therapy is accessed through the SEND coordinator's referral process. This gives musical participation and targeted support different roles.

Teaching consistency. In April 2024, some activities did not build knowledge precisely enough, and adults sometimes responded too slowly when children disengaged. Ofsted asked for clearer curriculum steps and more purposeful support for children losing interest. Families should weigh those specific concerns alongside the day’s practical learning opportunities.

Each child has a key person drawn from the teachers or early years educators. Before starting, families can attend Wednesday Toddler Stay and Play after their initial meeting, meet their key person at induction and have a home visit involving two staff members. The first session is shortened, with a parent remaining on site; the key person decides whether that support needs to continue. Familiarity comes before separation.

Fruit and milk are provided free each day, with water accessible throughout. Full-day children bring a labelled packed lunch containing no nuts; sweets, chocolate, crisps, biscuit packs and drinks are also excluded. Families eligible for free school meals receive vouchers towards the lunch they prepare. Breakfast offers menu choices in Purple Room, and after-school meals follow a menu across the week.

SEND support includes teaching assistants led by the SENCo, an integrated Nurture Provision, a sensory room, Makaton and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). These provide different ways to communicate and participate. The federation's policy provides at least termly meetings for parents of children with SEND to review support with staff. Concerns can also be raised with the key person, another staff member or the head of school.

Attending Maytree does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application for primary school through the normal admissions route and meet its deadline.

Transition support is distinct from allocation. Children are usually invited to visit their new primary school with parents. For children with SEND, incoming staff are invited to Maytree, and supported visits and a photo book can help make the new adults and surroundings familiar before the move.

Attendance is term-time only, over 38 weeks, usually across five days. The universal 15-hour pattern uses five mornings or five afternoons. Eligible working parents can access a limited number of 30-hour places, with the federation policy specifying 9am to 3pm. The September 2026 to August 2027 fees schedule separately lists a paid Core Day of 9.15am to 3.15pm.

Breakfast club starts at 8am and must be booked the previous day. After-school club runs until 5.45pm and requires booking by lunchtime; a 4.30pm collection option also applies. Both services carry charges. Contact the school for current charges; school-fund contributions are voluntary.

Use the online enquiry form to express interest in a place. For daily handovers, notify the key person of arrival and tell staff about a different collector, who must know the child's password. Washable clothing, safe footwear and spare clothes suit the activities; Maytree sweatshirts and T-shirts can be bought.