Merton Park Primary School Nursery Review

Purposeful play shares the day with maths, literacy and phonics at Merton Park’s nursery. Children have time to choose their own activities, while adults plan teaching around what they understand and what they need to learn next. There is structure, but also room for choice.

This is the school’s own provision for children aged three, on its Church Lane site. The nursery class is named Big Ben. Capacity is 26 children in each morning or afternoon session, with 16 whole-day spaces. These are different attendance patterns, rather than separate nurseries.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 1 and 2 April 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery inspection or rating.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning to children’s development: communicating, becoming more independent and learning to get along sit alongside early reading, number work and creative expression. Staff use Development Matters to assess progress and plan what comes next. The focus is on what children can say and do.

Direct teaching in phonics, literacy and maths takes place with small groups or the class together. Beyond those inputs, children use activities indoors and outdoors. Some are prepared for a particular learning purpose; others come from resources children choose themselves. Adults may demonstrate an activity before children tackle it independently, giving them a starting point rather than directing every step.

An outdoor area designed for early years includes a climbing frame in the EYFS playground. Nursery physical development also includes throwing, aiming and practising balance and coordination. Movement has a clear place in learning.

In April 2025, early years activities built the small hand movements needed for writing, alongside substantial opportunities to develop language. Children also learnt to listen and wait for their turn. These are practical foundations for participating in a group, as well as for later classroom learning.

The nursery team includes a class teacher, nursery nurse, nursery teaching assistant and early years teaching assistant. Adults observe children during activities, record their learning and share those observations with parents. Class newsletters give families another connection to nursery life.

Predictable routines supported children’s settling in April 2025. For new starters, the nursery intake guidance includes preparation advice and enrolment forms covering pupil information, medical consent and photographs. This gives families practical steps before the first day.

SEND support sits within the school’s inclusion arrangements. Early identification, continuing assessment and consultation with parents are part of that approach, with the inclusion manager and SENDCO contactable through the office. Families can raise concerns through an identified role.

For children staying over lunch, the school’s catering arrangements include Caterlink cooking on site, vegetarian and halal choices, and menus adapted to specific dietary needs. Parents select school dinners through ParentPay. Breakfast Club offers cereal or toast; Base Club Beginners starts with a snack, such as wraps or beans on toast, and has fresh fruit available.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Merton admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Reception applications are made online through Merton, and the local authority allocates places.

Nursery learning prepares children to communicate, cooperate and care for others. Those developing skills are useful preparation for the next stage, but they are separate from the decision about a school place.

Morning sessions run from 8.40am to 11.40am; afternoons run from 12.20pm to 3.20pm. Whole-day attendance combines six hours of nursery provision with lunchtime. Families apply to Merton for a 15-hour place, then approach the school for the additional 15 hours.

Breakfast Club runs from 7.45am to 8.45am, and after-school care from 3.30pm to 6pm. Nursery children use Base Club Beginners. Both clubs operate in term time, excluding INSET days; registration is required, with places booked and paid for each term in advance. Contact the office for current charges.

Uniform is optional in nursery, but a book bag is required. Parents use the Nursery gate and meet staff at the nursery door for collection and drop-off. School Streets restrictions affect nearby roads during morning and afternoon travel periods, so the journey needs planning. Covered bicycle and scooter parking provides an alternative.

Enquiries go to the school office on 0208 542 7128 or info@mertonpark.merton.sch.uk. School tours can also be booked through the office.