Our Inclusion Statement


  • We believe that all children have the right to learn and play together.

  • We celebrate the many abilities, cultures, backgrounds, experiences, differences, languages and faiths of all our children, families and staff.

  • We are committed to countering discrimination in all its forms.

When can children start at the nursery?


  • The criteria for admission is clearly stated in the booklet “Starting School” which can be obtained from the office or on the Greenwich Council website.

  • Children can join Shelters 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the term after their third birthday if there is a place available.

  • Children who are under three can start in Shelter 6 when there is a place available.

What curriculum do the children follow?


  • Our staff plan for all the children using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

  • The Early Years Foundation Stage supports the whole child under 4 themes:

    • A Unique Child
    • Positive Relationships
    • Enabling Environments
    • Learning and Development

  • The Early Years Foundation Stage includes six areas of development and learning:

    • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
    • Communication, Language and Literacy
    • Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
    • Creative development
    • Physical development
    • Knowledge and Understanding of the World

  • The Early Years Foundation Stage is a distinct learning phase for children of 0 to 5 years and is the first part of the National Curriculum.

  • It has Early Learning Goals (ELGs) which are the basis for later learning.

  • By the end of Reception (the first year of primary school) an average child should be achieving the Early Learning Goals.

  • Our staff plan the curriculum to help each child reach these goals and beyond.

  • We believe very strongly that children learn best through play and first hand experiences.

  • We plan and evaluate our curriculum, giving play and children’s interests and passions the highest priority.

Back to top

How is the nursery organised?


  • Our classes are called shelters. They were given this name by Margaret McMillan because she believed that playing outside was really good for children.

  • Shelter 6 has 21 children from three months to three years.

  • Shelter 6 is staffed by 1 early years coordinator, 1 senior early years worker, 5 early years practitioners and 5 early years assistants.

  • Shelter 6 is open 8.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m., five days each week, forty eight weeks each year.

  • Shelter 6 provision is for working or studying parents and is fee paying.

  • Shelters 1, 2, 3 and 4 each have 20 full time three and four year old children and 10 part time children in the morning.

  • Shelters 1, 2, 3 and 4 are staffed by a nursery teacher, an early years practitioner, a teaching assistant and 2 lunch time supervisors.

  • Shelters 1, 2, 3 and 4 are open 9.15 a.m. – 3.15 p.m., five days each week, 38 weeks each year. This provision is free for parents and carers.

  • Once the registers are taken at the beginning of the session, children in Shelters 1, 2, 3 and 4 are allowed to play inside or outside, and throughout the nursery.

  • They are well supervised wherever they are playing and learning.

  • We also have an extended day provision for working or studying parents.

  • This is for 16 children and is fee paying.

  • Extended day is open 8.00 a.m. – 9.15 a.m. and 3.15 p.m. – 6.00 p.m. during term times and 8.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. during school holiday. Extended day is open five days each week, forty eight weeks each year. This is fee paying.

  • Extended day is staffed by two workers.

  • All shelters provide breakfast that the parents are very welcome to help with.

Back to top

How do the children settle in when they start nursery?


  • The settling in period is a very important part of a child’s education.

  • It can be a stressful time for the child, the staff and the mums, dads and carers.

  • Children settle best when this is done slowly and carefully, responding to the needs of the child.

  • All children need time to get to know everyone and to allow the staff to get to know them.

  • A mum, dad or a carer who knows your child well, must stay for the first few sessions.

  • Decisions about staying after that will be made together with yourself, the child and the staff.

  • Children settle best if their hours are gradually increased.

  • We have a Family Room where you can have a cup of tea or coffee and relax while your child is settling in.

Back to top

How do we keep the children safe?


  • The children are always well supervised but accidents do occasionally happen and that is why it is essential that we have up to date information on your child’s emergency form.

  • We have qualified paediatric first aiders in nursery at all times.

How can mums, dads and carers help us to keep their children safe?


  • Please always SHUT THE GATES after you.

  • Never open the gate for anyone you do not know.

  • When you get to nursery please bring your child inside the shelter to be welcomed by the nursery staff.

  • Never take your child home without telling us.

  • Always remember to tell the staff in the shelter who will be bringing or collecting your child if the usual pattern changes - we will not let your child leave the nursery with someone that we do not know.

  • Let us know immediately if your contact address and phone numbers change.

Back to top

What time is the nursery open?



Shelters 1, 2, 3 and 4 (3 and 4 year olds):


  • The morning session starts at 9.15 a.m. and finishes at 12.15 a.m.

  • The afternoon session is from 12.45pm until 3.15pm.

  • All day sessions are from 9.15 a.m. to 3.15 p.m.

  • If your child is absent for any reason, please inform the nursery as soon as possible.

  • If your child is going to be late please ring the school by 9.30 a.m. to ensure that a lunch can be ordered.

  • As a nursery school within the Greenwich Education Authority, Shelters 1, 2, 3 and 4 operate during term time only. Holiday dates are given out at the beginning of each term.


Shelter 6 (under 3’s):


  • Is open from 8 am to 6pm 48 weeks of the year.

  • Sessions and times vary according to individual family needs and are arranged with the Early Years Coordinator.

Back to top

What happens at lunchtime?


  • Meals are cooked on our premises.

  • The children eat in small groups at tables in their shelters and are served by the shelter staff.

  • We use the Jamie Oliver menus.

  • No pork is used in our menus.

  • There is always a vegetarian option available.

  • We are happy to meet any particular dietary needs for your child for medical or religious reasons. Please let us know if this is required.

  • We ask that a weeks dinner money be paid in advance to the school office on a Monday morning. The correct amount should be paid in the dinner envelope provided.

  • Families on Income Support or Job Seekers Allowance are eligible for free dinners. Please ask in the school office for a form and information.

Back to top

Activities for Mums, Dads and Carers


  • There is a Music and Movement session every Monday morning 11 -12 a.m. for babies and toddlers.

  • There is a Mum, Dad, Carer Playgroup every Wednesday 9.30am. – 11.30 a.m.

  • There are coffee mornings every Tuesday and Friday mornings 9.15 a.m. -10.30 a.m.

  • If you have any ideas of activities that you would like to see happening at the nursery or skills that you can offer, we would really welcome your suggestions. Please talk to the office staff and they will be pleased to discuss your suggestions.

  • The office staff can tell you of all the other things that are available for mums, dads, carers and their children.

Back to top

hit counter
Hit counter provided by hit counter web site.