Burlington Infant and Nursery School Review 2026: Outstanding early years with strong wraparound care

Because this is an infant school, it does not serve pupils through to the end of primary (Year 6), so the main national test results parents often compare across “primary schools” are not the most meaningful lens here. The more relevant question is whether children leave Year 2 reading confidently, writing with control, and secure in number. The current external validation is the inspection outcome, which is the strongest available indicator of the effectiveness of teaching, behaviour and curriculum at this age.

For families comparing nearby options, it is sensible to look beyond raw data and focus on the lived mechanics: how phonics is taught, how writing is built, how maths is sequenced, and how the school supports children who start nursery or Reception with different levels of language and confidence. The materials the school publishes about curriculum structure, including deliberate recall practice, gives a good steer on how learning is made sticky over time.

At this stage, teaching quality is mainly about sequencing and routine. Children need to understand what learning looks like in a classroom, and they need repetition without boredom. The school describes planned recall sessions, framed as “task time”, which is designed to help children revisit learning across foundation subjects as well as core areas.

For parents, the implication is straightforward: a clear recall model tends to support children who benefit from predictability and repeated practice, and it can reduce the gap between children who naturally talk a lot about learning at home and those who do not. It also tends to help children with working memory challenges, which are common in early primary years.

Early years provision is also framed as part of the whole-school picture rather than a separate world. The nursery admissions information sets out different attendance patterns linked to the universal 15-hour entitlement and, where eligible, 30 hours for working families. (As with all schools, parents should rely on the school’s official information for current early years pricing and funding arrangements, rather than expecting a single simple fee.)

The main transition point is into a junior school for Year 3. The school’s Reception admissions information explicitly refers to transfer into its paired junior school, with applications processed through the local authority route.

In practice, this means families can plan for a two-step journey: nursery to Reception (which is not automatic), then Year 2 to Year 3 (again via the coordinated process). The implication is that parents who assume “once you are in nursery, you are set until Year 6” should pause and read the published guidance carefully, especially if they are relying on local continuity.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Entry is competitive. For the Reception entry route, recent demand data shows 304 applications for 117 offers, which equates to roughly 2.6 applications per offered place. First preference demand also exceeds places, which is consistent with an oversubscribed school. (Families using FindMySchool tools should check distances and alternatives early, because the pattern of demand can change year to year.)

For September 2026 Reception entry, the school states the application deadline as 15 January 2026. Late applications are accepted but typically considered after on-time applications, which is standard in coordinated admissions.

Nursery admissions are handled directly by the school. For September 2026 nursery entry, the published deadline for nursery applications is Friday 06 March 2026, and the school indicates it will contact on-time applicants by April 2026 regarding places.

Open events are clearly signposted for nursery families, with multiple dates listed in February 2026 and an expectation that booking is required. Even if those exact dates shift in future years, the pattern is useful: open mornings for nursery tend to sit in the Spring term.

At infant level, wellbeing is mostly delivered through consistency, adult availability, and clear safeguarding systems, rather than formal “pastoral programmes”. The school’s safeguarding documentation identifies designated safeguarding roles and a safeguarding governor, which is the basic governance architecture parents should expect.

Inspectors highlighted a safe and respectful culture in the most recent inspection, which aligns with what parents typically want to hear at this phase: children feel secure, routines are predictable, and adults respond quickly when issues arise.

Enrichment at this age works best when it is simple, frequent, and accessible. The after-school clubs list is unusually concrete for an infant school. Examples include Art, Chess, Choir (Year 2), Cricket, Dance Dots (Reception), Football, Multi Skills Sports (Reception), plus French and Spanish for Year 1 and Year 2, and Street or Freestyle Dance.

That matters because it shows breadth without pretending three- and four-year-olds need an overloaded timetable. Short clubs with familiar adult supervision can build confidence, widen friendship groups, and give parents a realistic, safe way to extend the day.

Play also appears to be treated as a deliberate part of the school day. The school describes participation in OPAL, a structured approach to improving lunchtime play, starting in September 2023. The implication is not “more fun”, but better regulated play: fewer low-level conflicts, more purposeful play choices, and better use of outdoor time.

The core school day for Reception to Year 2 runs from 8.50am to 3.20pm. Wraparound care is available via Acorns, with breakfast club from 7.30am and after-school provision from 3.20pm to 6.00pm on weekdays in term time (with earlier closing on specified early-closure days).

For nursery and Reception families planning the year, published term dates for 2025 to 26 are available, including some early closure times for specific year groups.

Travel practicalities depend on where you live in New Malden and surrounding areas. The sensible approach is to do a timed walk at school-run hours, then check your likely route in winter as well as summer. For oversubscribed schools, parents should also use FindMySchool’s Map Search to assess the realism of day-to-day travel time alongside admissions criteria.

• Entry pressure. Demand is high relative to places. With around 2.6 applications per offered Reception place, families should build a shortlist early and include realistic alternatives.

• Nursery does not guarantee Reception. The nursery admissions information is explicit that attending nursery does not automatically secure a Reception place, and a separate application is required.

• Two-year-old nursery is small. The two-year-old provision is limited in size and runs at 15 hours per week, which may not fit every working pattern without additional childcare.

• Transition planning matters. Moving on at Year 3 involves a separate process into the junior phase. Families who want an “all-through primary” journey should understand the local system early.

A high-performing early years and Key Stage 1 setting, with an Outstanding inspection outcome and a practical, well-defined wraparound offer. It will suit families who want structured routines, clear expectations, and a broad but manageable enrichment menu for young children. The challenge lies in admission rather than what follows, so planning early and shortlisting intelligently is essential.