Frithwood Primary School Nursery Review

Play, storytelling and outdoor exploration shape nursery life at Frithwood. Rosebuds, the nursery class at this Northwood school, takes children from age three, with a September intake. Its open indoor space forms part of an early years setting with two refurbished outdoor areas, giving physical exploration a place alongside classroom learning.

Children spend their sessions moving between activities guided by adults and play they choose themselves. Staff support learning through conversation and practical experiences, while outdoor exploration runs through the day. This gives children opportunities to follow an interest as well as take part in planned learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework. In parent language, it brings together movement, communication and emotional development with early reading, mathematics, creative expression and learning about the world. These areas are connected through play rather than treated simply as separate lessons. The open nursery room and the early years outdoor areas provide different spaces for that exploration.

Story-making has a named approach: Talk for Writing. Within early years, children invent stories around familiar, repeating patterns. That gives them a starting point for putting their own ideas into words. A nursery reading list, 50 top reads for nursery children, also gives families a practical link between classroom interests and books at home.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted described early years children developing number understanding by counting beyond ten and practising in both directions. The emphasis was on recognising numerical relationships and patterns, giving counting a purpose beyond reciting a sequence.

Preparation begins before the September start. Families offered a place are invited to a summer induction meeting and receive a pack explaining nursery life. This introduces parents to the practical arrangements before their child begins.

For additional needs, the school's support structure includes an Inclusion Manager and a governor responsible for special educational needs. Staff work with families and external agencies. The school site has step-free routes into the building and playgrounds, plus an accessible toilet and grab rails in other toilets, practical features for children who need support with movement or personal care.

Communication uses School Jotter 3 for notices, letters and events, alongside paper letters. The NSPCC Talk PANTS programme includes nursery materials and uses Pantosaurus to introduce body ownership and speaking to a trusted adult about worries. This gives families language they can also use at home.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Frithwood. Families must make a separate application through the London Borough of Hillingdon, which makes the offers. Treat that application as a separate step in planning your child's schooling; accepting a nursery place does not complete it.

There are three nursery patterns. Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am; afternoons begin at 12:30pm and finish at 3:30pm. Extended hours cover 8:30am to 3:30pm. The distinction matters when matching collection times to work and other family commitments.

Nursery applications go directly to the school, with forms obtained from the office. Extended provision has its own application form, and the admissions page links families to the government eligibility checker. Visits can also be arranged through the office. Contact frithwood@frithwood.hillingdon.sch.uk or telephone 01923 825548.

The school's uniform policy applies to all children attending. Mapac supplies some items, while others can be bought locally. Travel and collection. Parent parking is not provided, and neighbouring roads have restrictions. Allow for this when planning the nursery journey; secure storage is provided for children's bikes and scooters.