Southwark Park Primary School Nursery Review

Choosing between the classroom and the outdoor area is part of life in Dragonfly class. Southwark Park Primary School’s nursery takes children from age three, with 34 places per session identified in its admissions policy. A qualified teacher works alongside two early-years practitioners, both holding NVQ level three or higher qualifications. This is the school’s own nursery, with its day built around play, stories and growing independence.

Ofsted graded early years Good at the October 2023 inspection. The detail matters: children practised self-portraits, listened to familiar stories and developed mathematical language. There was also a specific weakness in how adults demonstrated and extended children’s language, which families should weigh alongside those strengths.

Play provides the route into the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In parent terms, this brings together talking, movement and learning to manage feelings and relationships, alongside reading, mathematics, creative work and discovering the world. Children combine activities they choose themselves with tasks guided by adults. Indoor and outdoor learning are both part of the provision, and children can decide where to pursue their play.

Power of Reading gives books a central role. Stories appear in activities and reading sessions, with books also accessible for children to explore independently. This gives a story more than one outing: children can revisit its ideas through play and conversation. The EYFS timetable includes direct teaching, smaller groups and circle time, followed by opportunities to use new learning in play.

My Letters and Sounds begins in Nursery with Phase 1. Children practise distinguishing everyday sounds, preparing to blend and segment sounds orally. Phase 2 sounds are introduced in the final half term. Mathematics follows a nursery scheme drawing on White Rose Maths, using rhymes, songs, games and objects to explore counting. These are concrete starting points for understanding number.

In October 2023, mathematical vocabulary included work on shape, measurement and number. However, adults did not consistently demonstrate accurate vocabulary and sentence patterns or extend children’s speech precisely. Some children consequently had fewer opportunities to hear and practise accurate language. This makes everyday adult conversation an important consideration here.

Settling starts with a home visit by the teacher and an early-years practitioner. Families can share information before their child begins, while regular stay-and-play sessions bring parents into class for focused activities such as reading or maths. Evidence Me provides another connection: parents can contribute achievements from home, and staff store and share learning observations through the platform.

Lunch is provided on full days. Children attending the afternoon session should eat before coming to nursery, so that shorter session needs a different family routine. The application form also asks about allergies, dietary requirements, medical conditions and additional needs, giving families a direct way to explain care requirements.

For SEND support, the school has a SENDCo and deputy, with parents involved in planning and reviews. Its SEND information report identifies Evelina London as a speech and language service supporting children, staff and parents with interventions. The school is wheelchair accessible and has accessible toilets, including facilities large enough for changing. These are practical features for families considering physical access as well as learning support.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Reception. Families must make a separate application through Southwark Council’s online school-admissions route. Treat that application as a separate decision and follow the council’s deadline for the relevant intake.

Transition support has a different purpose from admissions. The SEND policy includes the move from Nursery to Reception within its transition arrangements, with photo books and social stories used when appropriate. These can help a child understand a change of classroom or routine; they do not secure a place.

The admissions page gives Monday-to-Friday morning sessions of 8:50am to 11:50am, afternoon sessions of 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and full days of 8:45am to 3:30pm. The older admissions policy gives different morning start times, so confirm the agreed timetable when arranging a place.

Funding covers a 15-hour pattern, with 30 hours offered to eligible children. Families can also purchase additional hours to extend to full days, with lunch included in that arrangement. Contact the office for current charges. Nursery applications go directly to the school office.

Full-time nursery children can use wraparound care. The after-school club includes Nursery, runs Monday to Friday from 3:25pm to 5:30pm, and provides a snack and drink. Registration goes through the office and sessions are booked through Arbor. Thursday school tours begin at 9:30am and can be booked using the admissions-page form.