Clifton Primary School Nursery Review

Robin in the morning, Puffin in the afternoon: Clifton’s nursery has two named groups and a pattern of short sessions across the school week. It belongs to Clifton Primary School on Clifton Road in Southall. Children can join in the term following their third birthday, subject to a vacancy.

The nursery groups are led by the school’s EYFS phase leader, and the staff team includes a nursery nurse. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding following its inspection on 28 and 29 February 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Three-hour sessions give the week a consistent shape. Families receive either five morning sessions or five afternoon sessions, making this a regular weekly arrangement rather than an occasional booking.

Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In parent terms, the starting points are talking and listening, movement, and learning to manage feelings and relationships. These sit alongside early literacy and maths, creative expression and discovering how the world works. Activities are adjusted around children’s interests and individual needs, so the framework supplies the learning goals while allowing different ways to reach them.

In February 2024, children in early years were learning routines promptly and developing concentration. Learning was organised to build progressively from early years onwards. For a nursery child, those habits matter alongside new knowledge: following an instruction and sustaining attention help them take part in a shared session.

Settling begins before the first session. A member of school staff visits the family at home before the child starts nursery. This gives families an opportunity to introduce their child in familiar surroundings before the move into a school setting.

For additional needs, the school’s SEND coordinator is its assistant headteacher for inclusion. Clifton’s Bilingual SEND Videos include material in Punjabi, Arabic, Gujarati and Tamil, giving families routes into advice about support and communication. These are resources for parents, rather than a promise of a particular intervention for each child.

Chance Arts provides individual arts therapy at the school, with sessions led by a qualified music or drama therapist or an early years specialist. The school also has a Medical Room and a full-time medical needs coordinator. Its first-aid procedure includes contacting parents that day by letter or telephone, keeping families informed when a child needs treatment.

Attending Clifton’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. The London Borough of Ealing coordinates Reception admissions, and the school directs families to Ealing’s admissions service for the application route. Treat nursery attendance and the Reception application as separate decisions.

The nursery provides 15 hours each week during term time, allocated as five mornings or five afternoons. That pattern suits families seeking a consistent half-day arrangement; holiday care needs separate planning. Nursery access is through the Talbot Road gate.

To register interest, complete the Nursery Waiting List Form. Office staff can help with enquiries by telephone on 0208 574 5712 or email at admin@cliftonprimary.ealing.sch.uk. Prospective parents are encouraged to visit the school.

September start dates for nursery children differ from those for the rest of the school. Families receive their child’s individual start date, so use that notification when planning the first week.