Griffin Primary School Nursery

A Forest and a large indoor learning space give Griffin’s nursery its defining combination: room to explore outdoors and play inside. The nursery belongs to Griffin Primary School on Stewarts Road in London, with Nursery and Reception grouped together in the teaching team. Its character centres on learning through play and exploration.

At the November 2023 Ofsted inspection, early years provision was judged Good within a school whose overall judgement was Requires improvement. That is an early years judgement covering more than the nursery alone. Children in the early years were attentive and keen to learn, and older pupils helped them practise sharing and taking turns.

Exploration shapes the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines active play with opportunities to investigate and develop ideas. Learning uses both the Forest and the substantial indoor space, giving children different settings for discovery. Creativity is part of the programme, alongside opportunities to explore the curriculum through play.

The framework covers language and communication, emotional and social development, and physical development. Alongside those foundations sit maths, literacy, understanding the world and expressive arts. For parents, this means the nursery’s learning extends beyond early reading and numbers: talking, movement and relationships also count. Staff observe children and assess their development across these areas, using that understanding to build on their experiences.

Curriculum sequencing needs a measured reading. In November 2023, some content and vocabulary followed a clear progression from early years onwards, while curriculum planning elsewhere remained unfinished. Tasks and resources also sometimes failed to support the intended learning. In April 2025, further work was still required to embed curriculum changes across all year groups. These were school-wide concerns, rather than a separate nursery judgement.

Support for families includes Griffin’s partnership with Unlocking Potential. Its Family Practitioner Service helps with routines, behaviour, wellbeing, parenting courses and housing. That gives parents a route to discuss pressures beyond the classroom with staff.

An Assistant Principal for Inclusion also holds the SENDCo role. Griffin aims to make learning accessible to children with special educational needs through an inclusive, practical approach. Safeguarding concerns can be raised with the designated safeguarding team by telephone or through dsl@griffinprimary.org, giving families a direct contact route.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; the application route is Wandsworth Borough Council. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for school as separate decisions.

General enquiries go to the school office at admin@griffinprimary.org or 020 7622 5087. School tours can be arranged through the office, offering prospective parents an opportunity to see the setting.

Nursery uniform combines a bottle-green logo sweatshirt with a white polo shirt and grey bottoms; a green summer dress is another option. Logo sweatshirts come from Wearabouts. Second-hand uniform sales take place on the penultimate Friday of each half term at 3.45pm, providing another way to obtain clothing.