The Grove Nursery School: play, gardens and growing independence

Strawberries picked in The Feel Good Garden become snack ingredients at The Grove. That connection between growing, exploring and everyday life gives this nursery its character. Children aged two to four share a learning environment here, rather than being kept entirely apart by age.

The Grove is a maintained nursery school in the Kintore Way and Grove Federation. Its admission arrangements give indicative capacity as 15 full-time equivalent places for eligible two-year-olds and 45 for children aged three to four. Within those figures, the limits are 10 full-time places for the younger children and 24 places using the 30-hour entitlement for the older group. Capacity can change with staffing, demand and children's needs.

Play shapes the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines early reading and mathematics with communication, movement, relationships, creativity and understanding the world. Planning in the Moment means adults respond to children's current play and extend it, rather than relying entirely on activities decided in advance. The Four Cs give this a clear focus: creativity, cooperation, confidence and curiosity.

Indoor and outdoor areas are accessible throughout the day, across the seasons. The garden gives children room for larger physical activities; the curriculum includes a mud kitchen, a woodwork bench and Finger Gym. These provide different ways to practise handling tools, manipulating materials and developing control of small movements. Books can also be borrowed for home, extending story sharing beyond the session.

Specific projects show how interests become learning. Children built cardboard houses for The Three Little Pigs and used them to act out the story. During Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2026, they observed garden birds and recorded them with tally marks, bringing counting into an outdoor investigation. A visit to Glengall Wharf Gardens involved feeding rescue hens, holding them carefully and collecting eggs. These are concrete experiences to talk about, remember and revisit in play.

Each child has a Key Person, with other members of the class team acting as Co-Key People. Teachers, teaching assistants and early years educators make up the team. A home visit begins the relationship before nursery starts, giving families time to discuss interests, routines and additional needs.

Settling starts with shorter sessions and builds according to the child. Families need to remain available in the first week for an earlier collection if necessary. An Attachment Box containing photographs or familiar objects can provide a connection with home. Three Parent Conference Days each year give families dedicated discussion time, although the nursery closes to children on those days.

SEND support includes Individual Support Plans reviewed with families, alongside specialist input where needed. A sensory room, Soft Play and assisted changing facilities provide practical resources; Makaton and Now/Next boards offer ways to support communication and routines. For children with medical conditions, the Key Person develops a care plan.

Food also becomes an activity: a Lunar New Year snack included Pomelo, Fuji Apple and Nashi Pear, with children trying chopsticks. The charging policy says school dinners are currently funded through the Healthy Free Nursery Meals initiative for children entitled to a 15- or 30-hour code. Families paying for places or additional hours outside their 15-hour entitlement pay for up to two lunches.

Attending The Grove does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline.

For children with SEND, transition includes secure sharing of information with the receiving primary school's special needs coordinator. Staff from receiving schools are encouraged to visit and join relevant transition meetings. That supports continuity of care; it is separate from securing admission.

Part-time places run Monday to Friday, either 8:45am to 11:45am or 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Full-time attendance runs from 8:45am to 3:30pm Monday to Thursday, with a shorter Friday session and a paid Friday extension from 11:45am to 3:30pm.

Funded provision includes 15 hours for three- and four-year-olds from the term after their third birthday, with 30 hours subject to eligibility. Eligible two-year-olds can access funded hours too. Paid additional hours require a contract, and children must first be able to manage 15 hours at nursery. Charges apply during term time; the policy separates funded hours, private hours and meal or snack charges on invoices. School Fund contributions are voluntary. Contact the office for current charges.

There is no uniform. Bring named spare clothes, wellies and waterproofs suitable for messy outdoor play. For an application or tour, email office@grove.southwark.sch.uk.