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Nursery at Eliot Bank Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Shared play became a chance to tell stories in Eliot Bank's nursery: in April 2023, inspectors noted children retelling them enthusiastically together. This is the school's own nursery on Thorpewood Avenue in Sydenham, taking children from three until the beginning of the academic year in which they turn five.
Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 25 and 26 April 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Communication runs through the early years curriculum. In April 2023, nursery children were enthusiastically telling stories again as they played with one another. For a parent, that is a useful example of learning through play: children practise expressing ideas while sharing an activity, rather than keeping language work to a separate lesson.
Early number work is similarly concrete. Adults supported children in early years with number recognition by having them count beans into pots carrying labels. The objects give children something to handle as they connect a quantity with a number.
The early years foundation stage here places emphasis on emotional and social development alongside communication and early mathematics. In April 2023, this helped children develop confidence as learners. Across Eliot Bank, the named Growth Mindset approach treats mistakes and effort as part of learning, with children encouraged to attempt challenges and respond to feedback.
Learning to share a day with other children receives adult attention. In April 2023, early years staff helped children understand routines and take turns with consideration for others. Those small habits matter: joining an activity and waiting for a turn are part of becoming comfortable in a group.
Additional needs. The same inspection raised a school-wide concern about staff receiving children's individual SEND targets clearly enough, which sometimes left support insufficiently matched to need. Families should distinguish that finding from the early years judgement. A further school-wide improvement action concerned inconsistent responses to unsettled behaviour and the resulting interruptions to learning.
A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Eliot Bank's Reception class. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception process. Treat the two decisions separately when planning your child's next step.
For entry in September 2027, applications run from 1 September 2026 until 15 January 2027. Apply through your home local authority using eAdmissions, even if your child already attends the nursery. The relevant authority is the borough where you live, rather than automatically Lewisham because the school is there.
Three attendance patterns run Monday to Friday: mornings, 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoons, 12.30pm to 3.30pm; and full-time places, 8.45am to 3.30pm. These give families a choice between a shorter session and attendance spanning the school day.
Places use either 15 or 30 funded hours each week. Eligibility determines access to the longer funded allocation, so check the linked government criteria before choosing that pattern. Nursery enquiries go to info@eliotbank.lewisham.sch.uk; applications use the school's downloadable form and can be submitted after a child's second birthday.
Travel. Thorpewood Avenue has camera-enforced School Streets restrictions during term time. Check the road signs or Lewisham's School Streets information when planning the journey for collection or drop-off.
Places are for children from three until the start of the academic year in which they turn five. The school excludes children whose parents have delayed Reception admission.
Morning places run from 8.45am to 11.45am, afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, and full-time places from 8.45am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The nursery offers places using 15 or 30 funded hours per week. Access to 30 hours depends on eligibility; check the government criteria linked from the nursery admissions page.
No. A separate Reception application is required through your home local authority at eAdmissions. The deadline for September 2027 entry is 15 January 2027.
Email info@eliotbank.lewisham.sch.uk for nursery enquiries. After your child's second birthday, you can complete and return the school's downloadable nursery application form.
