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Nursery at Hillbrook School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play, conversation and growing independence shape the nursery at Hillbrook School in Tooting. Children join from the term following their third birthday, with full-day or morning-only attendance. This is the school's own nursery provision, with its early years classrooms on the ground floor of the London Brick building and direct access to outdoor learning.
Ofsted rated the school's early years provision Good at the June 2024 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
The day combines play planned by adults, focused teaching and time together on the carpet. Children also choose and develop their own play. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together talking and listening, movement, relationships, early literacy and maths, creative activities and exploration of the world. Birth to Five Matters supports staff's planning around children's development.
Outdoor learning has equal standing with indoor activity. The nursery shares an early years playground with Reception, reserved for those two groups. Natural materials give children things to build with and use in imaginative play, while space for movement supports physical development. Ground-floor classrooms make the connection between the two learning spaces practical.
Books provide a link between nursery and home. On Fridays, children select a class-library book to take home and enjoy with their family. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised is the named phonics programme, and phonics teaching starts in nursery. In June 2024, early years teaching developed children's language through planned activities that drew on their interests.
Exploration extends into the local area through the early years programme, including outings to Tooting Common and the market. Science begins through sensory investigation and questions about how things work. These experiences give children something concrete to talk about and investigate.
Independence includes everyday care: putting on shoes and coats, washing hands after using the toilet and clearing away toys. Children must be toilet trained when they start, except where they have an additional need. The nursery invites families to discuss support with this. Learning about their own emotions and those of other children also forms part of its approach to friendships.
Parents can exchange information with staff at the start and finish of the day. Termly meetings, emails and Evidence Me provide further contact; families can add their own observations to the learning journal. Nursery learning summaries are emailed each week, giving parents a practical connection to what children are learning.
The school's meal arrangements include packed lunches or meals cooked on site by Accent Catering, with lunchtime supervision in the dining halls. A vegan menu can be requested. These are school-wide arrangements rather than a nursery-specific free-meal entitlement.
For children needing specialist support, Little Hillbrook is a separate early years resource base for social communication and language needs. Its provision includes speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and sensory or soft-play rooms. Entry requires a professional referral and a panel decision. These arrangements should be distinguished from the mainstream nursery offer.
Attending Hillbrook's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Wandsworth Council. For the September 2026 intake, the Reception deadline was 15 January 2026; that application cycle is now past.
Preparation for the move is a different matter. Nursery and Reception teachers collaborate during the summer term, and friendship groups inform class planning. The transition programme includes stay-and-play sessions at the end of July and the beginning of September, allowing families to meet the teacher and children to become familiar with their new classroom. Shared outdoor space also provides continuity between the two stages. None of this replaces the Reception application.
Two attendance patterns are offered: mornings only and full days. Nursery enquiries and applications go through the school office, with an online application route also provided. Contact admissions@hillbrook.wandsworth.sch.uk or call 020 8672 3957.
School uniform is compulsory under Hillbrook's policy, but the logo is optional. Families can use plain items, including blue or white polo shirts and navy jumpers or cardigans. This gives parents flexibility over where they buy clothing.
Applications can be considered from the term after a child turns three. September is the main intake; children turning three between September and December may be offered a January start, subject to availability.
Hillbrook offers full-day and morning-only nursery attendance.
No. Reception requires a separate application through Wandsworth Council. Transition activities do not secure a place.
Evidence Me shares children's learning and accepts family observations. Parents also receive weekly nursery learning summaries and have termly meetings with staff.
Children must be toilet trained when starting nursery unless they have an additional need. Families can discuss questions or support with the nursery team.
