Phoenix Primary School Nursery

Familiar songs become starting points for children’s own musical ideas at Phoenix: changing the words helps them begin to compose. That gives a flavour of an early years curriculum where language and creativity work together.

Robin is the nursery class within Phoenix Primary School on Marlborough Grove, Southwark, part of the Mayflower Federation. Children must have turned three before the September intake. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 17 and 18 June 2025. This judgement covers early years within the school.

Choosing time and group gatherings share the day. The published nursery timetable begins with settling and registration, followed by a carpet welcome. Morning choosing time includes focus groups and interventions. Lunch is followed by an hour of outdoor play, giving children time outside within the daily routine. Afternoon choosing time includes I Can Talk, and a final carpet gathering closes the day.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) follows Development Matters. In parent terms, learning includes relationships and emotions, movement, speaking and listening, early reading and writing, number, creativity and discovering the world. These areas shape play, activities and how staff assess children’s development. Adults use children’s interests and what they can already do to plan their next steps.

Books give activities a shared starting point. Book of the Week connects discussion and drama with activities in the indoor and outdoor learning spaces. Nursery topics include Water, All About Me and Bears in the Forest, providing different contexts for new vocabulary.

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised begins here through Foundations for Phonics. Listening, attention and blending sounds aloud build awareness of sound. Physical preparation for writing matters too: children practise pre-writing shapes and develop small and large movements before progressing towards writing their names and forming letters. The emphasis is on building the component skills.

Robin’s staffing structure includes a teacher and nursery nurses. Children’s support also sits within the federation’s SEND arrangements: progress is reviewed regularly, and staff work with agencies inside and outside the school to address barriers to learning. This connects classroom support with help beyond the nursery team.

Meals are reviewed by dietitians, giving the lunch provision a nutritional check. The nursery timetable includes a dedicated lunch period rather than fitting food between activities.

For family support, parents can approach their child’s teacher or the Child Protection and Family Services Officer. Early Help can include referral to partner agencies. Staff undertake child protection training annually, and concerns about a child can be raised through the office or by email.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Southwark local authority, which allocates places under its admission arrangements. The school handles nursery entry itself, so these are distinct processes.

Treat the nursery choice as a decision about your child’s early learning and care. Keep the Reception application as a separate task, even if Phoenix is your preferred school.

Nursery applications begin in January ahead of the intended September start. Contact Phoenix’s office for the application process on 020 7231 8622 or email phoenix@mayflowerfederation.org.uk.

Open mornings can be booked through the office once dates are confirmed, with a maximum of two people per family. A visit gives parents an opportunity to discuss the nursery day with the school. Phoenix’s address is Marlborough Grove, London SE1 5JT.