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Nursery at Merlin 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A Victorian house, a former ballroom and a Pre-School for children aged three-plus give Merlin’s nursery its school-based character. This is the early entry stage of an independent school in Putney, with boys and girls joining in September following their third birthday. Pre-School is a distinct part of Merlin, alongside its Main School.
The school campus includes classrooms in the original house and three purpose-built classrooms at the rear. Its former ballroom serves as the hall for dance, assemblies, drama and music. These are features of the wider setting, rather than a description of a dedicated nursery room.
Personal development sits alongside early learning. In June 2024, planning for the additional year group covered language and communication, physical development, and children’s emotional and social development. For parents, that means looking beyond early academic tasks to how children learn to express themselves, move confidently and get along with others.
The Early Years Foundation Stage concerns those developing skills as well as learning. Merlin’s early-years children were motivated and able to cooperate and share in June 2024. Ofsted awarded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at its inspection of 25 to 27 June 2024; this judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Outdoor learning has a physical place on the campus: the school’s large playground also accommodates play and sport. A Pre-School nature walk appeared in the September 2026 diary, giving a concrete example of activity beyond the classroom. It was a dated event, rather than a promise of a recurring outing.
Pre-School staffing includes a Head of Pre-School with a degree in Early Childhood Education and a teaching assistant with Norland NNEB training. The team structure combines teaching leadership with a nursery support role.
Starting school includes an introductory session. New Pre-School children had a settling-in afternoon on 3 September 2026, and a parent information talk followed on 15 September. Together, these provided occasions for children and parents to become familiar with school life. Lunch is listed separately from tuition in the Pre-School charges.
For additional needs, Merlin’s school-wide SENCo works with teachers, families and external professionals where appropriate. Support may involve speech and language therapy, occupational therapy or educational psychology. Whether Merlin can meet an individual child’s needs depends on the support required and what can reasonably fit alongside existing provision; parents must disclose emerging or identified needs when applying, or when they arise.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Confirm with Merlin how existing Pre-School children are considered for Reception. Merlin accepts registration through its website for Pre-School or Main School, and sends Reception offers eleven months before the intended start.
Familiarity with the school is a practical part of moving between its stages. It should be kept separate from any assumption about entitlement to a place.
Pre-School attendance requires three full days: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 8.30am to 3.30pm. Tuesday mornings run from 8.30am to 12.45pm and Friday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm; both are required. Tuesday afternoons are optional. Tuition adjusts according to whether families include that afternoon each term. Lunch, resources and stationery, and accident insurance are separate charge categories; consult the school for current charges.
Beams of Light provides after-school care for Pre-School children at Merlin. It runs until 6pm, starting at 3.30pm Monday to Thursday and 12.30pm on Friday. Crafts, tabletop games and outdoor physical activities give this extended part of the day its own activity programme.
School tours can be booked online, begin at 9.45am and take approximately 45 minutes. Each attendee books separately, with two attendees permitted per party. Enquiries can go to admissionenquiries@merlinschool.net.
Children can join in September after their third birthday.
The Outstanding early years judgement from 25 to 27 June 2024 covers provision within the school. It is not a separate nursery inspection outcome.
No. Confirm with Merlin how existing Pre-School children are considered for Reception.
Yes. Beams of Light accepts Pre-School pupils and runs until 6pm, Monday to Friday, with an earlier start on Fridays.
Use the online school-tour booking form. Tours start at 9.45am and last approximately 45 minutes; each attendee must book individually.
