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Nursery at Spencer Nursery 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Ladybirds, Bumblebees and Fireflies give Spencer its shape: three age groups with care extending across the year. On Spencer Road in Mitcham Junction, this nursery school belongs to the federation with Hackbridge Primary School, while operating on its own site.
The admission arrangements start Ladybirds at three months, continuing to two years and a term; Bumblebees covers two years and a term to three years and a term. Fireflies takes children from three until the end of August before they start Reception. Ladybirds and Bumblebees each have 12 daily places. Fireflies has eight ending at 4pm and 16 ending at 6pm. Those different finishing times matter when matching childcare to work.
Language gives the learning day its character. At the ungraded inspection on 5 March 2024, Ofsted described children extending their vocabulary through animal topics and practising storytelling by ordering pictures and supplying the narration. Learning involves using words precisely, too: adults distinguished attaching from sticking, helping children explain what they were doing rather than simply completing an activity.
The Early Years Foundation Stage forms part of the federation's curriculum. Here, the concrete examples connect communication, relationships and practical discovery: listening to stories, explaining ideas and learning to share equipment. Sand timers helped children take turns with popular resources. That makes waiting something a child can understand and manage.
An allotment adds a physical link between growing and eating. Children planted vegetables, harvested them, then cooked and ate the produce, connecting food with sustainability. Visits from firefighters, dentists and nurses introduced jobs beyond the nursery. These March 2024 examples show learning moving between stories, conversation and experiences children can handle themselves.
Settling and relationships received clear inspection attention in March 2024: children with SEND were among those who settled readily, and adults helped children express feelings and resolve small disagreements. Familiar routines supported story time and tidying. Children could seek adult help when a disagreement needed it.
Early years educators work in the rooms, with a class teacher in Fireflies. All Spencer staff have paediatric first aid training. The federation's SENCo team includes an Assistant Manager for SEND and Inclusion; parental permission is sought before referrals to external services. This gives families a route to discuss support and participate in decisions.
Food depends on the booked day. The longer day includes breakfast, a fruit or snack break, lunch and tea; the 4pm option includes breakfast, fruit or snack and lunch. Families can agree to supply all meals themselves, removing the meal charge, provided food meets the healthy-meal and nut-free rules. Staff cannot heat or cook food brought from home, so it must arrive ready to eat.
Attendance at Spencer does not guarantee a Reception place or give priority at Hackbridge Primary School. Families must make a separate Reception application. For September 2027 entry, the closing date is 15 January 2027; apply online through the council serving your home address, with Sutton residents using Sutton's admissions service.
Progression between Spencer's rooms is a different matter. Existing Ladybirds children receive priority for Bumblebees, and Bumblebees children for Fireflies, but a place in the next room is not guaranteed. Plan each move separately from the later school application.
Places are booked across 51 weeks. Ladybirds and Bumblebees run from 8am to 6pm for two to five days weekly. Fireflies offers 8am to 4pm or 8am to 6pm for three to five days. Spencer opens on weekdays, subject to training days, bank holidays and its Christmas/New Year closure.
Three- and four-year-olds receive 15 funded hours from the term after turning three; eligible working families may qualify for 30. Bumblebees also accepts eligible two-year-old early-learning funding. The current charging structure applies funding during 38 term-time weeks, with meals charged separately and additional attendance charged. Ask the school for current charges before booking.
Apply directly using Spencer's nursery form. For enquiries, email office@spencernurseryschool.org.uk. Visits can be arranged with the Nursery Manager for weekday mornings at 10:30am, a useful opportunity to see the rooms before choosing a pattern.
Ladybirds starts at three months and continues to two years and a term. Bumblebees covers two years and a term to three years and a term. Fireflies starts at three and continues until the August before Reception.
Yes. Places are offered across 51 weeks, with specified closures including training days, bank holidays and the Christmas/New Year period.
No. Spencer's admission arrangements explicitly exclude Reception priority at Hackbridge. A separate application is required, and nursery attendance does not guarantee a place.
Yes, by agreement with the Nursery Manager, if all meals meet the healthy-meal and nut-free requirements. Food must be ready to eat because staff cannot cook or reheat it; the meal charge is then deducted.
Email office@spencernurseryschool.org.uk to arrange a weekday visit at 10:30am with the Nursery Manager.
