South Lake Primary School Nursery Review

Songs, acted nursery rhymes and the move from single words to sentences give South Lake’s nursery its character. Speaking is a deliberate part of learning here. The nursery forms part of South Lake Primary School on Campbell Road in Woodley, so children begin within a school setting rather than a separate childcare centre.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at its May 2025 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The nursery-specific detail gives parents something more useful than the grade alone: children enjoyed musical and dramatic activities, with adults helping them develop their speech.

Language grows through participation. Singing and performing familiar rhymes give children reasons to use words, while staff encourage them to communicate their ideas, starting with individual words and building towards sentences. For a child beginning to express themselves, that makes conversation part of the activity itself.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) encompasses these early foundations. In May 2025, children across early years developed language, early writing and number skills rapidly. Making marks is part of that picture too: learning involves expressing ideas on paper as well as aloud.

Practical investigation also features in early years. Children examined insects with magnifying glasses and identified their body parts, bringing close observation into their learning. It is a concrete example of how a small object can become the focus for looking carefully and finding words to describe it.

Parents can begin with their child’s class teacher when a concern arises. The school also has a SEND coordinator and a family support role, with appointments arranged through the office. This gives families a first contact and a route to further discussion.

Additional learning support follows Assess, Plan, Do, Review: establish the need, decide the support, put it into practice and check its effect. Adaptations can include equipment, technology, a different teaching approach or adult assistance. Personal Learning Plans record targets and support, with parents involved in reviews at least termly. The practical benefit is a plan that can change as a child’s needs change.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. South Lake follows Wokingham’s Reception admissions arrangements; an EHCP involves a separate process through the council’s SEN team.

Transition support is a different matter from admission. Children visit with their parents for stay-and-play before starting school, followed by a visit independently in September. For children with SEND, additional visits or photo books may help make the change more familiar. These arrangements support preparation; they do not secure a place.

School staff run Breakfast Club and After School Club for nursery children as well as older pupils. Breakfast Club runs from 7:50 to 8:50am. Afternoon care runs from 3:15 to 6:00pm Monday to Thursday, ending at 5:30pm on Friday. There is no After School Club on the final day of each full term.

Registration comes before the first club session. Families then book through Arbor with an account in credit, and places are allocated in booking order because numbers are limited. Bookings require at least 24 hours’ notice; late requests go to extendedday@southlake.wokingham.sch.uk. For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0118 969 1672 or admissions@southlake.wokingham.sch.uk.