Sheringdale Primary School Nursery Review

Colour mixing, construction and first sounds give Sheringdale’s Caterpillars nursery class a practical introduction to school life. This is the school’s own nursery on Standen Road in Southfields, taking children aged three in the year preceding Reception. Up to 26 children attend at once, with two staff members. That gives families a clear picture of the scale of the class.

Ofsted judged early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 5 and 6 November 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Making things gives early learning a concrete purpose. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children experiment with mixing colours and drawing enclosed shapes that begin to represent objects. Construction brings another kind of choice: children select scissors or tape to shape materials and connect pieces. These activities give small hands practice while letting children decide how to turn an idea into something tangible.

The school’s Art Room is accessible to all children, providing a shared physical space for creative work. Book corners in each class offer another focus, and teachers read aloud to their classes each day. Small-group conversations about books begin in early years, giving children opportunities to discuss meaning as well as listen to stories. Reading is part of the daily experience.

In November 2024, early years children were mastering their first phonics sounds, building foundations for reading and writing. Social learning sits alongside that work: children learn to treat one another kindly and use polite behaviour. The nursery’s curriculum therefore includes both early learning skills and practice in getting along with other children.

Children settled quickly in early years in November 2024. For families approaching a first school experience, that is a useful finding about the adjustment to classroom life.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) follows the school’s policy. Before a child with SEND joins, the class teacher and SEND coordinator meet parents to discuss the provision their child needs. Existing settings and other professionals can contribute information, helping staff plan support before the move.

Termly SEND reviews give parents recurring opportunities to discuss progress and provision. The school also works with Speech and Language Therapy and the Early Years Intervention and Support Service. These provide routes to specialist involvement where appropriate, rather than leaving every need to classroom adjustments alone.

Attending Sheringdale’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the council, either online or on paper to Wandsworth Pupil Services. The admissions page gives January 2027 as the application deadline. Treat that application as a separate task, even if your child already attends Caterpillars.

For children whose SEND makes a change of class difficult, transition support can include a social story and a transition booklet made with the learning mentor. This is preparation for a change of setting or class, separate from the allocation of a Reception place.

The funded part-time offer covers 15 hours. Eligible families may access 30 funded hours; otherwise, the additional 15 hours are charged. Contact the school for current charges.

Part-time attendance follows two grouped patterns: Monday and Tuesday full days with Wednesday morning, or Thursday and Friday full days with Wednesday afternoon. Nursery finishes at 3.20pm. Little Learners can collect children for additional care and remains open until 6pm, providing an option for families needing a later finish.

Tours can be arranged on request. Nursery application forms go to the office or to adminsupport@sheringdale.wandsworth.sch.uk; the Online Enquiry Form also accepts general enquiries. Entry is in September, with children required to be three by 31 August and fully potty-trained.