Reay Primary School Nursery Review

Play, conversation and the garden give Reay’s nursery its character. Children join the school community from the beginning, with an Early Years Team working across nursery and Reception. This is the school’s own provision on Hackford Road in Stockwell, for children over three, with both part-time and full-time options.

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 4 and 5 December 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes a mainly play-based form here. Small-group work brings more focused opportunities to practise counting, drawing and early writing, alongside speech, phonics and creative activities. Children therefore encounter early learning through both play and time working together with an adult. Nursery topic titles include All about Me and Colours All Around Us, giving families concrete themes to talk about at home.

Language has a practical purpose. In December 2024, early years children used a colour café activity to request classroom objects, with adults helping them describe colour and size. Finding something that matches a request makes vocabulary part of a task. Stories, songs and rhymes also establish the beginnings of reading; nursery parents are introduced to local library services and the school library to support reading at home.

Number learning follows a similarly playful pattern. Nursery books, games and songs introduce mathematical ideas, while everyday routines give children opportunities to hear and use mathematical language. Weekly early years music lessons include singing games and percussion, so listening and making music have a regular place in the week.

Outside, the garden and outdoor area are used throughout early years learning. Younger children also have weekly Natural Thinkers sessions, either together as a class or in smaller groups. The garden extends learning beyond the classroom, with nature providing material for exploration and talk.

Parents are welcomed into the early years community alongside their children. Families can speak to their child’s teacher about the term’s learning, providing a direct connection between classroom activities and conversations at home.

For additional support, Reay’s SEND and Medical page links families to Lambeth’s SEND Local Offer, autism guidance and information about Education, Health and Care needs assessments. Safeguarding concerns can be raised immediately with the designated lead or deputy lead. That gives parents a clear route for sharing a concern.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Reay. Families must make a separate application through the Common Application Form, submitted to Lambeth School Admissions Team or their home local authority. The stated deadline is 15 January. Treat that application as a separate task, even while your child attends nursery.

The Early Years Team works across nursery and Reception, providing continuity between the two stages. That educational connection is separate from the allocation of places: familiarity with the school does not replace the Reception application.

Part-time and full-time nursery classes include funded and fee-paying provision. Applications are accepted once a child is two, for attendance over three. Use the Nursery Application Form for this stage; it is separate from the Reception process.

For nursery enquiries and current charges, contact the school office on 020 7735 2978 or email admin@reay.lambeth.sch.uk. Office hours are 8am to 4pm, giving families a defined window for telephone enquiries.