Ark Atwood Primary Academy Nursery

Stories, songs and outdoor exploration give Ark Atwood's nursery its character. Children can join from age 3, with full-time places covering 30 hours a week. Globe is the nursery class within the primary academy on Amberley Road, London.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 27 and 28 June 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Language runs through the day. Children invent stories and listen to other people's tales, while songs and storytelling introduce them to sounds. In June 2024, nursery sound work provided a firm foundation for later reading, and early years children developed an extensive vocabulary. Learning begins with listening and talking.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together physical development, communication and emotional and social learning, alongside early literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. Ark Start EYFS Curriculum is the named approach adopted here. Adult-led activities alternate with learning children choose themselves, giving them opportunities to follow an interest and select their own resources.

Small-world play and role-play areas create reasons to talk, imagine and practise vocabulary. Classroom book corners give children books to choose, and Mathematics Mastery features in daily carpet sessions. Early years maths teaching uses short inputs of 15-20 minutes alongside opportunities to explore learning through activities.

Outdoor learning includes exploring nature and practising movement skills. Circle Time, music and dance also feature in early years activities. Experiences extend beyond the classroom, including Forest School at Paddington Rec and outings to the Natural History Museum. These give children places and experiences to discuss as well as stories to hear.

Early years home visits help staff get to know children before they start; staff may also visit a child's existing nursery. Social Stories can help children understand the change of setting. In June 2024, children in early years were establishing routines promptly, including sharing turns and cooperating with others.

Parents can follow learning through Seesaw, where staff share achievements and learning journals. Stay and Play sessions and curriculum workshops provide opportunities to join in. For concerns about development, the first conversation is with the class teacher. SEND support uses an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle, with families helping to build Provision Map plans and progress reviewed each half-term. Early years children with an EHCP have a review every 6 months.

Meals are prepared daily in the school's on-site kitchen. Children eat in small groups with adults, practising cutlery skills, table manners and conversation. A vegetarian choice is always offered; the kitchen can usually accommodate dietary or medical requirements with advance notice. Mealtimes therefore include practical and social learning alongside food.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority, with Westminster residents using Westminster City Council's online admissions route. For September 2027 entry, the deadline is 15 January 2027.

Conditional priority. For 2027/28, nursery children eligible for the Early Years Pupil Premium, Pupil Premium or Service Premium receive priority under the fifth oversubscription criterion, before distance. Attendance alone does not confer this priority. Families should keep that eligibility condition separate from the familiarity children gain here.

Summer handover meetings between classes share children's support arrangements before they move up. This supports continuity of care; it does not secure admission.

The nursery's full-time model is 30 hours weekly, and applications go directly to the academy. Nursery visits can be arranged for parents and children. Contact the school office at info@arkatwoodprimary.org or 020 7266 7070 for enquiries.

All pupils follow the school's uniform requirements. Clothing, including shoes, should be labelled, and Urban Apparel supplies the uniform. Second-hand uniform sales also take place regularly.