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Nursery at Rathfern 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A mud kitchen, a vegetable garden and lessons in managing big feelings give Rathfern’s nursery its character: practical play alongside deliberate work on attention and independence. This is the nursery class within Rathfern Primary School in Catford. Children can join from the term following their third birthday, with 25 places in each of the morning and afternoon groups. Full-day places depend on availability.
Ofsted’s report published on 20 January 2026 gave the school’s early years provision a Strong standard judgement. That covers early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection.
Play carries the curriculum. Children pursue their own interests alongside activities guided by adults, who join in to introduce ideas, extend conversation and help an investigation develop. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning about language, movement, relationships, reading, number, creativity and the world. Here, these areas overlap through play rather than becoming a timetable of separate subjects.
Executive function is a distinctive emphasis. In parent language, this means practising how to concentrate, remember instructions, change a plan and pause before acting. Adults coach children through difficult feelings and challenges. In January 2026, children across early years showed sustained attention and could manage their emotions; staff conversations also helped them develop language through more demanding vocabulary.
The physical provision gives that approach room to work. Children can move between indoor and outdoor learning spaces, choosing construction materials, pretend-play equipment, books or resources for drawing and writing. Outside, a sensory zone, mud kitchen, vegetable garden and story/writing den offer different starting points for exploration. Partial shelter supports outdoor use in different weather. Forest school and the community room/kitchen extend learning into other parts of the school.
Tidying has a learning purpose too. Sorting resources and putting them away creates opportunities for counting, discussion and taking responsibility for shared equipment.
Each nursery child has a key person, giving families a particular adult with whom to share concerns and developmental changes. Stay, Play and Learn sessions introduce the setting before children begin, and entry is staggered with individual needs in mind. The September 2025 SEND policy allows for a home visit or a visit to an existing nursery when this would help staff plan adjustments.
Informal conversations at the beginning and end of sessions sit alongside three progress meetings across a child’s nursery attendance. The 2024 EYFS staffing model included teachers, an unqualified teacher, a nursery nurse and nursery support staff. Rathfern calls its support staff Independence Facilitators.
Early help is a strength of the early years provision: in January 2026, support for speech, language and hand control was introduced promptly and improved children’s development. Families can discuss concerns with the class teacher or the SENDCO responsible for early years, so support can be planned together.
Full-day children bring a packed lunch. The nursery guidance prohibits nuts and nut products and requires grapes and cherry tomatoes to be cut into halves or quarters. Morning wraparound includes breakfast options; afternoon care includes a light snack.
Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives admission priority. Families must make a separate application through the normal council process. Lewisham’s arrangements for September 2026 entry required an online application by 15 January 2026; that deadline has passed.
Preparation is a separate matter. Nursery children visit the Reception classrooms daily during the final weeks of the summer term. A transition booklet includes photographs of staff and rooms, helping children picture the change. Staff also pass reports and agreed records to the school a child will attend.
The 2024 nursery policy sets out morning sessions from 8:45am to 11:45am, afternoons from 12:45pm to 3:45pm and full days from 8:45am to 3:45pm. Part-time attendance consists of five sessions each week. Once an AM or PM place is accepted, that session remains fixed throughout nursery attendance.
Funding covers 15 hours, with eligible children able to use 30 hours when they have a valid code and space is available. The policy describes funding over 38 weeks. Additional hours and lunchtime supervision can involve charges; ask the school for current charges. The 2025-2026 guide describes optional wraparound, with top-ups requiring attendance every weekday and no changes after selection.
Collect and return the nursery application form at the school reception desk. Uniform is encouraged, with plain items acceptable and a logo optional for nursery children. Black shoes with Velcro fastenings are required.
Children may begin in the term after their third birthday, subject to space.
Morning, afternoon and full-day places are offered. Full-day availability varies, and an accepted morning or afternoon session remains fixed throughout nursery attendance.
Children are offered a Stay, Play and Learn session and staggered starting dates that can be tailored to their needs. Visits at home or to an existing nursery may help plan additional support.
No. Lewisham’s admission arrangements give nursery children no priority, and attendance does not guarantee a place. A separate council application is required.
Yes, if staying for the full 30 hours. Lunches must exclude nuts and nut products; grapes and cherry tomatoes must be cut into halves or quarters.
