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Nursery at Collingwood 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Ladybirds and Dragonflies give Collingwood’s nursery its own identity within this independent school in Wallington. The session model accommodates both term-time attendance and care across the year, making the choice about family routines as well as early learning.
The April 2026 admissions policy allows nursery entry from six months. The school describes Ladybirds for children aged two to three and Dragonflies, the preschool group, for three to four-year-olds. Nursery children also spend time with older pupils who join their activities, bringing contact with the wider school into their day.
Play provides the starting point. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, manage feelings and move confidently with early reading, mathematics, creative work and discovery of the world. Cooking, French and drama are among the activities that put those areas into practice. Children have opportunities to explore ideas through doing, talking and pretending.
Each early years class has a changing role-play space and a book corner. Its own outdoor learning area extends the classroom, with access to the main playground too. Daily Jolly Phonics sessions introduce letter sounds, while activities before formal reading develop language and early literacy. This gives books and imaginative play a place alongside more directed learning.
At the ISI inspection of 30 January to 1 February 2024, early years teaching supported good progress, growing independence and physical skills. Children discussed their goals with staff and worked towards agreed next steps. Outdoor activity included woodland walks, adding movement and exploration beyond the classroom.
Food gives the day fixed points: morning snack at 9.30am, lunch at 11.30am and afternoon tea at 3.30pm. Breakfast Club is available from 8am. Those timings help parents understand how eating fits around learning and play.
Settling begins before the first regular day. Children are invited to several introductory sessions so that the surroundings and other children become familiar. This makes the start a staged process rather than a single leap into an unfamiliar routine.
In January and February 2024, early years staff knew children’s needs and responded effectively; weekly newsletters explained recent learning and suggested ways parents could help at home. That gives families something concrete to build on between nursery days. Meals cater for dietary requirements, so food needs form part of the care arrangements.
SEND support includes oversight from the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO), individual education plans where needed and consultation with parents. Some additional provision, including specialist assessments, therapy or individual sessions, may carry extra charges, discussed beforehand. Individual support. The admissions policy recognises limits to facilities for disabled children and makes provision dependent on the adjustments the school can reasonably provide. Families should discuss their child’s requirements as part of registration.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Collingwood’s April 2026 policy nevertheless treats existing pupils differently from new applicants: its admissions procedure excludes pupils progressing within the school, and continued progression is expected subject to behaviour and progress standards. For a child already enrolled, this is conditional continuation rather than a fresh application through the local authority.
Nursery attendance is not listed among the priorities for oversubscribed entry at age four. Those favour children of Inspired Learning Group staff, then siblings of current or former pupils, followed by registration order. At the ISI inspection of 30 January to 1 February 2024, nursery children became Reception adventurers before transfer. This transition activity was separate from admissions entitlement.
Term-time mornings run from 8.30am to 12.30pm, with afternoons from 1pm to 5pm. For attendance across the year, mornings are 8am to 1pm and afternoons 1pm to 6pm; wraparound care spans 8am to 6pm. The nursery fee schedule includes five-day term-time attendance and three, four or five days across the year.
Eligible families can use funded hours, with 15- and 30-hour arrangements listed. Provide an eligibility code to the nursery manager promptly. Food and consumables charges for non-funded hours vary by age and funding category; ask the school for current charges. Payments across the year are averaged over 12 months from a 51-week model, including payable closures for bank holidays and inset days.
Contact schooloffice@collingwoodschool.org.uk or 0208 647 4607 to enquire. Individual nursery tours and Stay and Play sessions can be booked. For collection, parents supply authorised adults’ names and notify the office beforehand of changes; unfamiliar adults may need identity verification.
The April 2026 admissions policy permits entry from six months. The school describes Ladybirds for ages two to three and Dragonflies for ages three to four.
Both term-time and attendance across the year are offered. The fee model uses 51 weeks, with bank holidays and inset closures still payable.
Children are invited to several settling sessions before entry to become familiar with the environment and other children.
No. Existing pupils are expected to continue subject to behaviour and progress standards, and the admissions procedure does not apply to internal progression. Nursery attendance is not an oversubscription priority for new entry at age four.
Children take part in activities that prepare them for reading, alongside daily Jolly Phonics sessions and access to a classroom book corner.
