Childeric Primary School Nursery

In April 2023, chalk drawings, spring bulbs and stories outdoors featured in Childeric’s nursery garden activities. This is the school’s own nursery in New Cross, with capacity for 100 children across morning and afternoon groups of 50. Children can start the half term after their third birthday, subject to a place being available.

Half-day sessions and full-time places give families different ways to organise attendance. The nursery sits within the school’s early years foundation stage (EYFS), with nursery teachers and nursery nurses forming its team.

Outdoor learning combines movement with quieter exploration. In April 2023, nursery garden activities included sliding and climbing, rolling balls, drawing with chalk on the ground and watching spring bulbs grow. Stories were shared outside too. These examples connect physical play, early writing and observation in one space, rather than making outdoor time solely a break from learning.

Learning also gives children specific ideas to talk about. At the February 2023 inspection, Nursery children were learning how sharp teeth help meat-eating animals eat. Across the early years, children listened repeatedly to favourite stories. Familiar tales give children another opportunity to revisit language and ideas.

There is a wider curriculum caution. In February 2023, some subjects across the school needed a clearer order of learning, and checks had not consistently established whether pupils understood foundational ideas. These were school-wide concerns, rather than a separate nursery judgement; they make the progression from early concepts to later learning a useful focus.

Preparation begins with a welcome meeting involving a nursery teacher, alongside an admission appointment at which families receive their child’s starting date. That provides a point of contact before attendance begins.

For concerns about special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), parents first speak with their child’s teacher, with the school’s SEND coordinator providing another contact. The school has a lift and accessible toilets, giving families with mobility needs concrete access features to consider.

Lunch can be a hot meal or a packed lunch. Packed food should be healthy; nuts, sweets, fizzy drinks and food requiring reheating are excluded. Nursery school meals are charged, with advance payment through ParentPay. Ask the school for current charges when planning full-time attendance.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. For 2027–2028 entry, it also gives no admissions priority. Families must make a separate online application through their home local authority’s coordinated process, following the timetable for the relevant entry year.

Transition support is a separate matter. Nursery children moving to the school’s Reception class have a programme involving visits, with SEND coordinator involvement where needed. Social stories can support children who may find change challenging. These preparations help with familiarity; they do not alter the admissions decision.

Morning sessions run from 9:00am to noon, afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and full-time places from 9:00am to 3:30pm. The 15-hour pattern runs Monday to Friday, with flexibility in how funded sessions are arranged. Eligible parents can access 30-hour places; additional sessions can be purchased by families who do not meet that eligibility condition.

To enquire, collect the nursery form from the school office and return it by email, post or in person. Visits can be arranged by telephone or email: 020 8692 3453 or admin@childeric.lewisham.sch.uk.