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Nursery at Holbeach 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Rain is part of the play at Holbeach nursery. Outdoor learning continues across the seasons, with space for children to move, explore nature and try unfamiliar activities. This is the school's own nursery provision, welcoming children from age three at its Nelgarde Road site in Catford.
Personal interests help shape the learning. Staff use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to plan around each child's needs, rather than treating the curriculum as a fixed sequence of identical activities for everyone.
The EYFS brings care and learning together. Its starting points are language, physical development and children's emotional and social development. Maths, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world sit alongside these. For parents, that means learning involves movement, conversation and relationships as well as early number and reading skills.
Outside, children can practise jumping, running and balancing while exploring plants, wildlife and changes in the weather. The outdoor provision gives physical learning room to happen, including on rainy days. Science in early years also develops through play and discovering the surrounding world.
Themes give the learning a recognisable focus. During the 2025–26 academic year, nursery topics included All About Us, Once Upon A Time... and Splish, Splash, Splosh. Parents receive a termly Topic Overview explaining the learning and suggesting ways to support it at home.
Listening closely to language is another strand. Nursery children take part in phonological awareness work: recognising how speech breaks into words, syllables and sounds. Newsletter ideas let families continue this at home, connecting classroom learning with everyday talk.
The school's entry arrangements include home visits when children enter nursery. Early years leadership includes a SENDCo role, linking this phase with the school's arrangements for additional needs.
Families concerned about learning can speak with the class teacher or SENDCo. Support is planned with parents and teachers, and the SENDCo team works with outside professionals. Specialist services depend on the child's needs, funding and the availability of the relevant service or teacher. The school's SEND arrangements include visual prompts, speech and language interventions and regulation plans where needed.
Nourish supplies school lunches, with dairy-free and gluten-free menus alongside the main menu. The school's food rules exclude nuts and nut products from packed lunches, and its caterer works to keep nuts out of recipes. These are practical considerations for families managing allergies.
A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Holbeach's Reception classes. Families must make a separate application through Lewisham Local Authority's admissions procedure; the route includes an online application at www.eadmissions.org.uk. Parents can also apply on paper using an application form. Treat this as a separate decision and application, even if your child already attends nursery.
Transition support is a different matter from admission. The school's arrangements include lessons with the next teacher and a transfer of records backed by a staff handover meeting. Photos, books and social stories can also help children with transitions when needed.
Choose between the morning session, 8:45–11:45, the afternoon session, 12:30–15:30, and full time, 8:45–15:30. The session labels are 15 hours for either half-day option and 30 hours for full time. Full-time children have lunch between 11:30 and 12:30.
The Nelgarde Road gate has 15-minute windows for drop-off and collection. Children are brought into the nursery building and encouraged to locate their name and put away their coat and bag. Tell staff about a different collector; an unfamiliar adult must be checked with the parent before a child is released, and authorised collectors must be over 16.
Nursery applications go directly to the school on a paper form, subject to spaces being available once a child reaches three. Contact the office at admin@holbeach.lewisham.sch.uk or 020-8690-4713. School visits can be arranged by telephone.
Applications can be made once a child has reached three, subject to available spaces.
Morning sessions run from 8:45 to 11:45, afternoons from 12:30 to 15:30, and full time from 8:45 to 15:30.
No. Families must apply separately through Lewisham Local Authority's admissions procedure.
Yes. Outdoor play takes place throughout the year, including in rain, with opportunities for movement and exploring nature.
Speak with the class teacher or SENDCo. The school discusses possible interventions and referrals with families; specialist provision depends on need, funding and service availability.
