Woodmansterne School Nursery Review

Carpet sessions, outdoor play and vegetables grown for the kitchen give Woodmansterne’s nursery day its character. This is nursery provision within the school’s primary phase in Streatham, with an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) team working alongside families. Learning combines time together with opportunities for children to follow their own interests.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at its September 2024 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Whole-class sessions introduce early mathematics and phonics, alongside stories, circle time and classroom routines. Children then move into activities indoors and outside, some chosen by children and others supported by adults. In everyday terms, the EYFS here combines learning to communicate and get along with others with practising early number and language skills. Staff demonstrate language, social interaction and ways to play, giving children examples they can use themselves.

Outdoor learning has tangible resources: wildlife areas and substantial grounds, plus an edible garden where children plant, tend and harvest produce. The school describes Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL), with a sandpit, mud kitchen and spaces for construction and dressing up. These are primary facilities, rather than a description of a separate nursery garden. They give play a practical dimension, with materials to handle and things to make.

In September 2024, early years children could distinguish full from half-full, an example of learning about parts of a whole through concrete ideas. Children also played contentedly and treated one another kindly. Curriculum planning in some early years areas still needed further refinement, so the positive judgement came with a specific development point.

Teachers and early years educators support the move from playground to classroom during the first weeks. Collection involves a direct handover at classroom doors; a change of collector must be communicated to the office. Parents can contribute milestones from home through Tapestry, including growing independence with cutlery. This gives home learning and everyday development a place in communication with staff.

Meals are cooked on site. The school describes freshly made bread, garden-grown salad and dishes including jollof rice, with provision for allergies and dietary requirements. It specifies school lunches rather than packed lunches for primary children. Food connects with the growing children do outdoors.

For SEND concerns, the first contact is the class teacher, with appointments through the primary office to speak to the SEND team. The school’s SEND arrangements allow an adjusted settling period agreed with families and professionals. A sensory room forms part of primary provision, and classroom adaptations can support accessibility. These are school arrangements that families can discuss in relation to their child’s needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately using the online Common Application Form through their home borough. Lambeth manages school admissions. For the September 2026 entry cycle, the stated deadline was 15 January; that cycle is now past.

The Reception criteria cover children with care histories, siblings, exceptional medical or social needs, staff children and distance. Nursery attendance is not a priority criterion. Separately, the school’s SEND transition arrangements include advance information for the next teacher, a planning meeting and a transition book where helpful. Those steps support preparation for a new class; they do not determine admission.

Three attendance patterns are offered: full time; Monday and Tuesday all day with Wednesday morning; or Thursday and Friday all day with Wednesday afternoon. This gives part-time families blocks of attendance across the week.

Eligible children can attend through the 30-hour funding route, with the eligibility code checked before a full-time place is confirmed. Families without that entitlement can pay to add 15 hours to the funded 15-hour provision, subject to space. Contact admissions@woodmansterne.london for enquiries and the school office for current top-up charges.

The Play Professionals provide separately booked EYFS wraparound care: breakfast club runs from 7:45 to 8:55, and after-school care from 15:25 to 18:00. Registration is required. Nursery uniform includes a navy logo sweatshirt or cardigan, light blue polo shirt or shirt, navy jogging bottoms and plain black trainers. Entry uses the primary gate on Stockport Road.