John Burns Primary School Nursery

Learning alongside older children shapes the full-time nursery experience at John Burns Primary School: nursery pupils share a mixed-age class with Reception children. Part-time provision follows a different weekly pattern, concentrated into Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday. That distinction matters when choosing how much of the school week a child will spend here.

The nursery takes children from age three. Its September 2027 policy makes the number of nursery places dependent on Reception enrolment, so capacity varies with the balance of ages in the Foundation Stage class.

A school-day rhythm gives sessions their structure. The Early Years timetable places registration at 9am, the first morning session at 9:05am and lunch at 11:45am. Afternoon learning begins at 1:05pm. For full-time children, the day therefore includes learning on either side of a substantial lunchtime period, rather than one continuous classroom session.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the curriculum for these younger children. Concrete examples help explain what that means here: Ofsted’s June 2023 inspection described reading sessions that introduce ambitious vocabulary from early years onwards, alongside learning to distinguish the past from the present. Children are building language and an initial understanding of time.

Outdoor time also has a place in the day. Children play playground games around lunch, supervised by teaching assistants. The school grounds include two main playgrounds and the enclosed pitch called the Pen; the garden is used in spring and summer. Ramps provide access to the playground, including the Early Years area. These are physical spaces for movement alongside classroom learning.

Settling begins before the first regular session. For the September 2027 intake, the plan includes a July parent presentation and information pack, with children taking part in stay and play. The Early Years team also visits children at home before they start. Autumn entry is staggered, giving children time to become familiar with staff.

Food fits the attendance pattern. Children can have a cooked lunch or bring a packed lunch, and fruit is provided for EYFS children at morning break. Those attending the late-week part-time pattern eat lunch at school on Thursday and Friday; on Wednesday they eat before their afternoon session. School dinners carry a separate charge.

Support for additional needs starts with a conversation with the class teacher. The Inclusion Leader can help plan further support, and the school’s SEND policy includes Explore and Talk specifically for EYFS. Parents participate in termly SEND reviews. Medical care plans are developed with families and the first aid team, giving individual health requirements a shared written plan.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Reception. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process, meeting the deadline for their entry year. Wandsworth Pupil Services handles applications for residents; families living elsewhere apply through their home borough. For September 2026 entry, the deadline was 15 January 2026.

Sharing a class with Reception children is part of the full-time nursery’s daily experience. It does not secure a later place. Separately, the school’s transition policy gives children opportunities to meet their next teacher and see their next classroom, and children who find change especially difficult may create a transition booklet with adult help for use at home during the summer.

Full-time hours run from 8:50am to 3:15pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery admissions page’s part-time pattern combines Wednesday, 12:30pm to 3:15pm, with full days on Thursday and Friday. The September 2027 policy repeats that timetable. It suits families who can organise childcare around a fixed late-week block.

All nursery children are offered 15 funded hours. An additional 15 funded hours depends on working-parent eligibility and code validation; families without that entitlement can purchase extra provision where places permit. The September 2027 policy sets funded provision over 38 weeks. Ask the school office for current charges.

Breakfast School Care runs from 7:30am to 8:45am; After School Care runs from 3:15pm to 5:45pm. Both require applications and advance payment, with regular bookings rather than ad hoc use. They are charged separately from nursery provision.

For nursery enquiries or a school tour, contact 020 7228 3857 or admin@johnburns.wandsworth.sch.uk. Early Years children use the EYFS gate and are collected from their classroom door. Families must nominate authorised collecting adults.