Kelvin Grove Primary School Nursery

Sharing, taking turns and contributing ideas to the School Council give Kelvin Grove’s nursery a social character. This is the nursery within Kelvin Grove Primary School in Upper Sydenham, Lewisham, with entry from age three and both full-time and part-time places.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 7 and 8 June 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Learning includes getting used to routines and being alongside other children. In June 2023, early years children showed enthusiasm for learning, shared resources and took turns. The early years setting was calm, with children learning to socialise. For a child starting group education, those everyday habits matter alongside the knowledge and skills being taught.

Learning Journeys organise the curriculum into topics. The Creative Curriculum page includes Nursery material for Summer 2025 and explains how mind maps and curriculum letters help parents follow the learning. Activities can change while the intended knowledge and skills remain consistent, giving families a way to understand the purpose behind a topic.

Nursery children also spend time with the School Council Lead to contribute their opinions. Their ideas have a route into school discussions. A seasonal performance scheduled for December 2023 placed nursery children in the Main Hall, illustrating participation in school events beyond the classroom.

The Nursery Team includes a class teacher and teaching assistants. This places teaching and classroom support within the nursery team itself.

In June 2023, early years leaders were skilled at recognising additional needs and worked with other professionals on assessments. For families whose children need extra help, this makes identifying those needs part of early years support. The finding concerns the early years team, rather than implying that every nursery child needs an assessment.

Tapestry provides a connection with learning at home. Nursery parents can access activities, videos and documents, then upload their own pictures, videos and observations. It gives families a practical way to contribute examples of their child’s learning outside nursery.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. A separate application is required through Lewisham Council’s online process, by the deadline for the relevant entry year. Treat this as another application, even if your child already attends Kelvin Grove.

Nursery attendance is not one of the Reception priorities listed in the school’s admission information. Those criteria concern children in public care, serious medical or social needs supported by a professional, siblings attending at the application closing date who will remain on roll at admission, and proximity where Kelvin Grove is the nearest community school.

The deadline given for September 2025 entry was 15 January 2025. That cycle has passed; use Lewisham Council’s current primary admissions information for the entry year you need.

Part-time places are linked to 15 hours per week for three-year-olds. Families entitled to the 30-hour childcare offer can apply for full-time places. These are different attendance options, so entitlement is relevant when choosing the pattern to apply for.

Children start in either September or April and must already be three. Registration on the waiting list is possible from age two, using the online link or the school office. Application paperwork requires a birth certificate copy, with proof of address within three months of issue needed before an official offer.

For nursery enquiries, telephone 020 8699 6300. The office’s nursery admissions contact hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Nursery families seeking a visit should contact the school directly; the online school tours are directed at prospective Reception parents.