Marvels Lane Primary School Nursery

Story sacks bring the nursery's reading life home: books and props go out each week for families to share and use in retelling stories. That practical link between classroom and home gives Marvels Lane's nursery its clearest character. Talk, listening and stories are central to the activities described for children.

This is the nursery at Marvels Lane Primary School on Riddons Road in Grove Park. Children usually join in the term following their third birthday, with both part-time and full-time places offered. Entry cannot be before a child turns three.

Books have a physical home in the nursery's book corner, where children can choose and explore them independently. Adults also read stories aloud. The weekly story sacks extend this work into family play: the props give children something to handle as they reconstruct a story, rather than simply listening again.

Listening games prepare children to recognise the sounds at the beginning of words. Activities also encourage conversation and language development. These are concrete examples of the nursery's early learning work alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework linked from the curriculum page. The emphasis here is on developing listening and talk before formal reading.

At the June 2025 inspection, Ofsted described nursery children listening for differences between surrounding sounds as preparation for phonics. The weekly attendance pattern matters too: part-time places run across five mornings or five afternoons, rather than being grouped into fewer days.

A class teacher and nursery nurse work with additional adults. Before starting, nursery children have a meeting or visit so that families can discuss concerns. Where SEND requires additional preparation, the arrangements can include a phased start, extra visits, videos or photobooks. These give families specific ways to prepare a child for the change.

The class teacher is the first contact for concerns about additional needs, with the SENCo coordinating further support. Medical care plans are signed by the school and parents. Across the school, physical provision includes ramps, a lift and an electric medical changing bed; adjustments are planned around individual needs.

Food choices can be seen in the school's summer 2026 menu, which included vegetable curry, macaroni cheese and cold sandwiches, rolls or wraps. Fruit and yoghurt were among the accompaniments. This gives families a concrete example of the school's meal pattern, rather than a promise about a future menu.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process. Lewisham administers Reception admissions, and the school's September 2026 application cycle used eAdmissions. The listed allocation criteria cover looked-after children, medical or social need, siblings and distance; nursery attendance is not included.

Preparation for a new class is a separate matter. For children with SEND moving between phases, a transition book or video may be used to help them prepare. That support does not change the admissions process.

The admissions page gives full-time hours as 8:45am to 3:15pm across five days. Part-time attendance is either five mornings, 8:45am to 11:45am, or five afternoons, 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Alternative part-time patterns, such as combining attendance into two and a half days, are not offered. Families need to plan around a daily session.

The funding model provides 15 hours for a part-time place. A full-time place depends on eligibility for additional funding, with the 30-hour code supplied at least four weeks before the child's starting term. Nursery applications go directly to the school through its online form; paper forms can be obtained from the office.

Nursery timings differ from the main school timetable and are advised separately. For enquiries, contact the office on 020 8857 3904 or admin@marvelslane.lewisham.sch.uk. Visits can be arranged through the school.