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Nursery at Links 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Ladybirds, Butterflies and Bumblebees give the nursery day at Links Primary School three distinct patterns: mornings, afternoons and full days. This is school nursery provision on Frinton Road, with entry from the term following a child's third birthday. Families can choose part-time attendance or a longer day, with access to the school's wraparound care as well.
Ofsted's report published in February 2026 judged the school's early years provision to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Its clearest strengths were purposeful play, established routines and opportunities for children to practise their learning independently.
Learning begins with a curriculum planned from Nursery onwards to build the skills and knowledge children will need next. The early years foundation stage combines teaching with opportunities to explore and practise through play. In February 2026, children were actively involved in their learning, and staff checked understanding so that they could tackle gaps.
The shared outdoor learning space gives children opportunities to develop physical skills. Across early years, trikes provided a practical lesson in fairness: children used a timer to manage turns. Art also held their attention, with detailed daffodil paintings in watercolour illustrating how an activity could sustain concentration. These are concrete examples of learning through movement, cooperation and making things.
Language is woven into play, with adults thinking about the vocabulary children should encounter and use. Language development. Some adult interactions were less effective at extending language in February 2026. Improving the quality of those exchanges was an explicit next step, so this remains a consideration for families placing particular weight on communication support.
The school's phonics approach is Little Wandle Letters & Sounds. Nursery children also took part in a Perform Peter Pan Neverland Adventure workshop in May 2026, adding a named imaginative experience to their learning.
The nursery team includes a teacher and additional staff. Settling into new activities is recognised in school communications: an April 2026 newsletter celebrated a nursery child's bravery in settling and willingness to try something new. This provides a small, specific example of how those early steps receive attention.
For families seeking support with development, Links signposts Merton's Incredible Years Autism and Language Delay Programme for children aged two to five, alongside the EarlyBird Parent Programme for preschool children with an autism diagnosis. These are parent support routes, separate from the nursery's daily teaching.
Food is part of wraparound provision. Breakfast club serves cereal, fruit, toast and juice; after-school care includes tea and dessert, with dietary requirements catered for. Children are collected from their classes for after-school club, giving families a managed handover into the longer day.
Attending Links Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Merton's primary admissions route and meet the normal application deadline. Keep that application separate from decisions about nursery sessions or additional hours.
Preparation for later learning starts in the Nursery curriculum. That educational continuity should be understood separately from the allocation of a school place.
Ladybirds runs from 8:30am to 11:30am, Butterflies from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and Bumblebees from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Nursery operates during term time. Families can choose five sessions, including five mornings or a combination of two full days and a half day.
Full-time places are offered to families eligible for 30 hours of childcare funding; additional sessions can also be paid for where working parent funding does not apply. Contact the school for current charges. Nursery applications go through Merton's School Admissions team, while the school office arranges tours.
Breakfast club runs from 7:30am to 8:40am and after-school club from 3:15pm to 6pm. Nursery children may wear sweatshirts and polo shirts with dark green or black jogging bottoms. Frinton Road and Gunton Road have weekday School Street restrictions from 8am to 9:30am and 2:45pm to 4pm, so plan collection and drop-off around those vehicle restrictions.
Children are admitted in the term after their third birthday. Nursery applications are made through Merton's School Admissions team.
Ladybirds is the morning session, Butterflies the afternoon session and Bumblebees the full-day option. Families can choose five sessions, including a mixture of full and half days.
The nursery is term time only.
Yes. Nursery children have access to Links' wraparound care. Breakfast club runs from 7:30am to 8:40am, and after-school club from 3:15pm to 6pm.
No. A separate application is required through Merton's primary admissions route, by the normal application deadline.
