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Nursery at Lordship Lane Primary School
Last reviewed: September 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Sapling is Lordship Lane Primary School's nursery class for children aged three and over. It has been part of the school for more than 30 years, while its place within the Early Years Foundation Stage gives children a clear first experience of school routines. The nursery is taught by an early-years team that includes a teacher and early-years practitioners.
The provision has a strongly play-based identity. Stories, songs, imaginative play, art and hands-on exploration are the everyday tools used to build language, confidence and independence. This is purposeful early learning rather than an early start on formal schoolwork.
Families choose either five morning sessions each weekday, running from 8:45am to 11:45am, or five afternoon sessions from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Eligible families using the funded 30-hour offer can apply for a full-time place. This fixed weekly pattern should make the basic timetable easy to understand, though families needing fewer days or a flexible mix should check whether any alternative is possible.
The curriculum follows all areas of the EYFS through six half-term themes. It moves from All About Me and Celebrations in autumn to Castles, Dragons, Fairies & Trolls and Yummy in my Tummy in spring, then Ba, Ba, Tweet, Tweet and Wheels, Wings and Floting Things in summer. Each theme brings together early language, literacy and numeracy with stories, songs, art, exploration and pretend play.
Ofsted's April 2023 inspection gives useful nursery-specific context. Inspectors found that early-years staff developed communication and language well. Nursery children enjoyed songs and rhymes, while children across early years listened to teachers, followed instructions carefully and enjoyed learning indoors and outside. For parents, that points to a day where talk, rhythm and play sit alongside calm routines.
The school describes close partnership with families as part of the nursery's approach, with its early-years team available for questions and support. Confidence and independence are explicit aims, so care is tied to helping children manage the routines of a school-based setting rather than doing everything for them.
The published nursery pages do not set out a named key-person or settling programme, nor do they detail meals, snacks or sleep arrangements. Families for whom these are deciding factors should ask the early-years team during a tour. The same applies to specific SEND adjustments: the school's wider SEND provision is available, but individual support needs should be discussed before accepting a place.
Attendance at this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery and Reception admissions are separate: families must make a new Reception application through Haringey Council, and the council allocates places under its published criteria. The school page lists looked-after children and children with special educational needs first, followed by siblings and then distance; it does not list nursery attendance as a priority.
The shared school setting may make Reception routines and surroundings more familiar, but that practical continuity is not an admissions advantage. Families should follow Haringey's Reception timetable and application route even when their child already attends Sapling.
The 15-hour offer is arranged as five mornings or five afternoons during the school week. The school also accepts the funded 30-hour entitlement for eligible families and offers full-time places within that arrangement. Families should confirm current eligibility requirements and any arrangements around the gap between morning and afternoon sessions directly with the school.
Applications for nursery are made to the school, using its nursery application form or by contacting the office. Prospective families can also email the office to book a tour. Reception applications go elsewhere, through Haringey Council, so keeping the two processes separate matters.
The nursery accepts children from age three. Its published eligibility table gives autumn and spring entry dates for the relevant birth cohorts.
The standard 15-hour pattern is five weekday mornings from 8:45am to 11:45am or five weekday afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm.
Yes. The school accepts the 15-hour entitlement and offers full-time places for eligible families using the funded 30-hour entitlement.
No. Families must apply separately through Haringey Council, and nursery attendance is not listed as an admissions priority in the stated Reception criteria.
Families apply directly to the school using its nursery application form or by contacting the school office. A tour can be booked by email.
