Benedict Academy Nursery Review

Morning learning has a clear focus at Benedict Academy nursery: conversation, stories and learning to play alongside other children. This is the school's own nursery on Church Road in Mitcham, with entry from the term after a child's third birthday. The session runs from 8:30am to 11:30am, within a 15-hour weekly offer. Families need to plan around that early finish.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 8 and 9 October 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery inspection. The early years teaching combined challenge with support, helping children develop their speech and their relationships with others.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, becoming more independent, physical development and early understanding of numbers, books and the world. Benedict combines adult teaching with free-flow play. Carpet sessions and conversations during play teach children the behaviour expected of them, so social learning is part of the session rather than something left to chance.

Reading connects the different areas of learning. Nursery children use the Letters and Sounds scheme to practise hearing and distinguishing speech sounds. The nursery reading programme for 2024/25 included The Smartest Giant in Town and The Tiger who came to tea. Stories give children material to discuss while expanding the words they understand and use.

Number learning extends across the early years provision, with a focus on understanding quantities and recognising patterns. Planned physical activities develop both larger movements and control of the hands. Art introduces different materials for children to express their ideas, while imaginative games help them explore what they are learning.

There is a concrete sporting example, too: in March 2026, nursery children took part in Wimbledon Tennis sessions and practised catching with different tools. This adds a physical dimension to a day in which language and shared play have a substantial role.

Two nursery nurses sit within the EYFS team, alongside an early years teaching assistant. The wider school team includes a special educational needs coordinator (SENDCo) and a pastoral lead. For families, those roles provide distinct contacts for discussing learning needs and emotional support.

The SENDCo holds a master's degree in Early Years Education and the National Award in Special Educational Needs Co-ordination. That gives the inclusion role an early years grounding as well as specialist training in additional needs.

In October 2024, children in early years were developing the skills needed to wait for a turn, make friends and cooperate in play. Support therefore extended beyond learning knowledge to managing everyday relationships. Families also took part alongside children in an EYFS workshop on fine motor development in February 2026, offering a practical connection between home and early years learning.

A nursery place does not guarantee a place in Benedict Academy's Reception class. Parents must make a separate Reception application using their Home Local Authority's Common Application Form and return it to Merton Local Authority. Treat this as a separate step in your family calendar: accepting the nursery place does not complete the school application.

Morning timetable. The nursery offers 15 hours each week, from 8:30am to 11:30am. That pattern matters when arranging work and care after the session.

Nursery applications go directly to the academy. Collect the form at the main Academy Office and return it there once completed. September, January and April are the usual entry points; a mid-term start may be allocated where a place is available.

Visits can be arranged through the office by emailing office@benedictacademy.org or calling 0208 648 4726. A visit gives families a chance to discuss the nursery before applying.