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Nursery at Surbiton Hill Nursery 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Long stretches outdoors and stories revisited through play give Surbiton Hill’s nursery day its character. This is a maintained nursery school in its own right, with provision for two-year-olds and for children aged three and four, rather than a nursery classroom within a primary school.
The Den includes the Nest and the Burrow for older nursery children; the Hive serves younger children. Green Class provides specialist nursery support. The school describes capacity for up to 80 funded part-time places for three- and four-year-olds, alongside 32 places for eligible two-year-olds. These are place categories, rather than a single headcount.
Play is the starting point. An eight-goal spiral curriculum links to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with learning returned to across the year so children can practise and consolidate it. In the Moment Planning means adults respond to what a child is doing there and then, extending an interest while it still matters to them.
Seasonal learning connects stories with outdoor exploration. Children can spend sustained periods outside each day, while core books return to familiar themes. Owl babies supports conversations about separation and feelings during the first half term. The Den’s activity account describes comparing worms in the mud kitchen, making dinosaur fossils and threading conkers: counting, investigating and using hands all grow from play.
The physical layout supports movement between learning spaces. Two sizeable classrooms connect with a smaller classroom area, with another classroom in the annex. An accessible main building opens onto outdoor learning space, and there is a smaller rear garden. For younger children, the activity account includes scooters, tower building and sensory-room sessions with soft play equipment.
Settling involves learning routines as well as managing goodbyes. Stories provide a way to discuss feelings, while younger children practise putting on coats, using the toilet and pouring drinks. Sharing fruit at snack time brings waiting and turn-taking into an ordinary care routine.
Each key person discusses children’s development with the class teacher every half term. OPAL, meaning Observe, Play and Learn, informs individual targets, while Tapestry carries observations between home and nursery. Parents can contribute their own updates, giving staff a view of learning beyond the session.
At the June 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that key workers understood children’s emotional needs, families received regular communication and safeguarding arrangements were effective. Specialist support included speech and language therapy and occupational therapy, with needs recognised promptly.
Green Class makes support concrete: sensory circuits begin sessions, photographic timetables help children move between activities, and Attention Autism group work develops engagement. Snack choices become opportunities to communicate. Its smaller garden also provides space for adults to work on play and physical skills. Green Class places are allocated through a local authority panel, rather than directly by the nursery.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the relevant deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for primary school as separate decisions.
Preparation also happens through everyday independence. Handling coats, expressing needs and taking turns are useful foundations for the next stage. Repeated core stories give children practice with familiar words, rhyme and language before they begin learning to read.
Funded education includes 15-hour and 30-hour places. The 15-hour pattern is five morning sessions or five afternoon sessions, each lasting three hours. The school accepts two-year-old funding as well. Additional hours can be paid for where children need more than their funded allocation or are not eligible for funding.
Term-time planning. Core nursery places run in term time. Holiday care for three- and four-year-olds is subject to demand, so it should be considered separately from the education place.
Breakfast club runs from 8:00 to 8:30am; after-school club runs from 3:30 to 6:00pm, each with up to 16 places daily. Enquiries go to 020 8390 2555 or office@shn.kingston.sch.uk. The site has entrances on Middle Green Close and The Retreat.
The Hive caters for children aged two and three. The Den, including the Nest and the Burrow, caters for children aged three and four.
They are organised as five mornings or five afternoons, with three hours in each session.
Tapestry shares nursery observations and accepts updates from home. Key people also discuss each child with the class teacher every half term.
A local authority panel allocates the places. Families do not apply directly to the nursery for Green Class.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place, and families need to complete a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process.
