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Nursery at Grovelands Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Indoor play, outdoor exploration and shared stories give Grovelands’ nursery day its shape. Bears is the nursery class within Grovelands Primary School, an on-site provision in Walton-on-Thames for children from age three. Full-time and part-time attendance provide two ways to join that routine.
The nursery belongs to the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Its approach centres on play and practical experiences, with indoor and outdoor learning spaces. For a child starting school life, that means time to explore alongside shorter group activities, rather than a day composed entirely of adult-led lessons.
The morning moves between independent exploration and time together. Indoor free flow starts at 9.00, followed by a group activity and fruit at 9.30. From 10.30, children have free-flow time inside and outside; stories, singing or topic work follow at 11.30. Lunch is at 12.00. These changes of pace give the session a recognisable structure while leaving substantial periods for play.
Afternoons include registration and topic work at 1.00, then another indoor and outdoor free-flow period from 1.30. A group gathering with milk at 2.30 brings children together towards the end of the day. Outdoor learning is part of both halves of the timetable, rather than a single break between classroom activities.
EYFS learning brings together talking and listening, movement, relationships, early reading and number work, creativity and exploring the world. The nursery promotes learning through play and direct experience across these areas. This gives parents a useful picture of the curriculum: social and physical development sit alongside literacy and mathematics.
In March 2023, Ofsted found that early-years children used number and story songs to revisit learning, while adults’ questions helped them recall particular knowledge. There was also a curriculum concern: the knowledge children needed to retain had not been defined precisely enough, and learning needed a clearer sequence to prepare them for their next educational stage.
Fruit accompanies the morning group activity, lunch divides the day, and milk accompanies the afternoon gathering. These are regular pauses within the learning routine. Families with dietary requirements can discuss them with the school office. Grovelands is nut free, so packed lunches must exclude nuts and products containing them.
Support extends beyond the classroom. The school’s SENCo can be contacted at inclusion@grovelands.surrey.sch.uk. A Home School Link Worker also supports families with difficulties such as bereavement, separation and children’s emotional needs; parents can request involvement through the office or hslw@grovelands.surrey.sch.uk. Operation Encompass links the school with Surrey Police and Surrey County Council so staff can support children following domestic incidents.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process. Surrey County Council is the school’s admission authority and handles the application route. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two separate decisions, even though the provision shares the school site.
The attendance choices are 30 hours across Monday to Friday or 15 hours over 2.5 days. Part-time patterns run Monday to Wednesday, finishing at 11.45 on Wednesday, or Wednesday to Friday, beginning at 12.00 on Wednesday. That fixed midweek split matters when arranging work and other childcare.
Collection timings. The admissions arrangements give a drop-off window of 8.35–8.45 and collection at 2.55–3.05, while the nursery timetable gives arrival at 8.45–8.55 and home time at 2.45–2.55. Confirm the applicable windows when arranging attendance.
Nursery tours can be arranged with the Early Years Phase Leader through the school office on 01932 227816 or info@grovelands.surrey.sch.uk. Return a nursery application to the office with the child’s birth certificate, a recent utility bill and a recent council tax statement.
The main September intake is for children whose third birthday falls before 31 August that year. Unallocated places may be offered for the following term once a child is three.
There are 30-hour places across Monday to Friday and 15-hour places over 2.5 days, either Monday to Wednesday or Wednesday to Friday. Wednesday collection is at 11.45 for the first pattern; Wednesday arrival is at 12.00 for the second.
Yes. Indoor and outdoor free-flow periods appear in both the morning and afternoon nursery timetable.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal school admissions route, with Surrey County Council as the admission authority.
Contact the school office on 01932 227816 or info@grovelands.surrey.sch.uk to arrange a tour with the Early Years Phase Leader.
