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Nursery at Lime Academy Larkswood
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Songs, stories and learning to share give Little Larks its character. This is Lime Academy Larkswood’s nursery for children aged 3–4, with part-time and full-time places combining paid provision and government-funded hours. Based at the school in Chingford, it offers term-time attendance with school-day and extended-day options. That gives families a choice over the length of their child’s day.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good following its inspection on 11 and 12 July 2023. This judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Language develops through shared activities. In July 2023, adults used stories and singing to strengthen children’s communication, introduced unfamiliar words and prompted conversation about their learning. These are practical foundations for children who are beginning to explain their ideas and join discussions.
Word Aware brings a named approach to that work. In Nursery, it introduces vocabulary for concepts, giving children words to make sense of what they are learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, is the framework for this stage of education; here, the evidenced activities include developing communication and practising social skills through play.
During July 2023, Nursery children played alongside Reception children and practised sharing and waiting for a turn. Games and rhymes helped teach behaviour routines. Curriculum sequencing. At that inspection, early years learning did not consistently build knowledge step by step, including in understanding the world. Families should weigh the positive language and social routines alongside that specific weakness in how learning connected over time.
Early years staff have paediatric first aid training. For children with ongoing medical needs, the school works with health professionals and parents on individual care plans. The wider school building also has an accessible toilet with a shower and changing facilities, a concrete consideration for families whose child needs help with personal care.
Support for special educational needs and disabilities follows Assess, Plan, Do, Review, with parents involved in decisions. The class teacher and SENDCo discuss barriers to learning and the support to try. Speech and language therapy can provide programmes matched to a child’s needs; referrals to outside agencies require parental consent. This gives families a role in shaping support rather than simply receiving updates.
Meals depend on the attendance arrangement. The school-day top-up includes lunch, Breakfast Club includes breakfast and drinks, and Afterschool Club includes a meal and drinks. Food is therefore part of the longer-day options.
Attending Little Larks gives no priority for Reception admission and does not guarantee a place. Parents must make a separate application through Waltham Forest Council’s coordinated admissions scheme, using eAdmissions. Choose the nursery for the nursery experience itself.
For the September 2026 Reception intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle is now past. Nursery applications are handled separately by the school, which manages its own nursery waiting list.
Transition support is a separate matter from admission. For children starting Reception, arrangements include meetings involving parents, preschool staff, relevant professionals and school staff, plus stay-and-play visits before term starts. These offer a chance to share needs and become familiar with the school.
The school-day top-up runs from 8.40am to 3.35pm. Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am to 8.30am; Afterschool Club has two sessions, 3.30pm to 4.30pm and 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Check the combination of nursery and club bookings against your working day.
Funded places cover 15 hours from the term after a child’s third birthday, with 30-hour places for eligible families. To access 30-hour funding for the following term, families must apply for their code by the last day of term. Full-time attendance attracts school charges if eligibility or application timing requirements are not met. Ask the school for current charges and the cost of additional care.
For a nursery application form and the waiting list, email larkswoodschool@limetrust.org. Both paid places and funded places are available, with the option to add wraparound care.
The nursery offers paid and government-funded places for children aged 3–4, with part-time and full-time options.
Little Larks offers term-time-only places. Plan attendance around the school terms.
Word Aware introduces conceptual vocabulary in Nursery. In July 2023, early years adults also used songs, stories and conversation to develop communication.
No. Attendance confers no Reception admission priority, and parents must apply separately through Waltham Forest Council’s coordinated admissions scheme.
Email larkswoodschool@limetrust.org for an application form and current charges. The school administers nursery applications and holds the waiting list.
