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Nursery at Cranmer Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.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 mud kitchen, class fish and outdoor building blocks give Cranmer’s nursery a practical, exploratory character. This is the nursery within Cranmer Primary School in Mitcham, with its own building and a place in the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The September 2025 SEN Information Report describes renovations to the nursery building intended to improve accessibility.
Ofsted rated early years provision Good at the inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Play and adult guidance both shape learning. Children choose activities, join group times and work alongside adults; staff use observations to decide what learning should come next. In parent language, the EYFS here means developing communication, curiosity and expression through practical experiences. In November 2023, children enjoyed learning together, with staff giving attention to language development. Nursery children also enjoyed hearing familiar stories read aloud.
The nursery curriculum makes exploration concrete. Children investigate melting ice, tend class fish and plant seeds in the gardening area. A Curiosity Cube draws on children’s interests, topics and seasonal changes. Making kites in windy weather and gathering rain in containers turn the outdoors into something children can investigate, rather than simply somewhere to play.
Creative work has distinct indoor and outdoor resources. Inside, children build with magnetic shapes and small wooden blocks, paint at easels and manipulate playdough with tools. Outside, larger wooden blocks and loose planks support construction, while vertical whiteboards and chalkboards offer different surfaces for mark-making. Children can choose materials and work out how to join them, giving their ideas a physical form.
Songs support early sound awareness. Boogie Mites appears in the nursery curriculum alongside activities using rhyme, voices and body percussion. Children also make percussion instruments through junk modelling and can use percussion instruments freely to explore sounds. Cooking activities include fruit kebabs, pancakes and milkshakes, adding practical food preparation to the learning programme.
Parents contribute to the picture of their child’s development. Around six weeks after children settle into EYFS, teachers establish starting points; nursery assessment draws on play, group activities, adult interaction and contributions from home. Seesaw carries selected learning examples, and parents can contribute photographs or videos. This creates a route for sharing learning across home and nursery.
Early years teachers are available for messages at the start of the day. For children needing additional support, the school’s arrangements include an EYFS SENCO, personalised Support Plans and termly reviews with parents. Early years children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) have a formal review every six months. In November 2023, additional needs were recognised promptly, including among early years children.
Medical support follows an individual plan where a child has specific or higher-level needs. The school nurse prepares this with parents, and relevant adults receive it so that care arrangements can follow the child through the day.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Cranmer is a community school: Merton Local Authority makes admissions decisions under its community-school policy.
Transition support is a separate matter. For children with EHCPs, the SENCO coordinates transition planning, with review meetings that may arrange supported visits and time in the new setting alongside a familiar adult. These arrangements support continuity of care; they do not secure admission.
Small-group school tours are booked through the office by appointment. Email office@cranmer.merton.sch.uk to arrange a viewing, or telephone 020 8648 2621 for enquiries.
Vehicle access. The visitors’ car park includes disabled spaces, but the school closes its gates to vehicles between 8:30am and 8.50am, and between 3pm and 3:30pm. Families using the car park need to plan around these restrictions.
The nursery curriculum includes a mud kitchen, seed planting, rain collection and construction using large wooden blocks and loose planks.
Shared stories and collaborative play feature in early years learning. Nursery sound-awareness activities include rhyme, body percussion and songs linked to Boogie Mites.
Parents can contribute photographs and videos through Seesaw or share information in class. These contributions help staff plan children’s next learning steps.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process. Merton Local Authority makes admissions decisions for Cranmer under its community-school policy.
School tours run in small groups and require an appointment. Contact the office at office@cranmer.merton.sch.uk to arrange a viewing.
