Skip to content ↓

Joining Us at 3+ (The Nursery)

Opened in September 2020 for girls and boys aged 3+, the Nursery is the start of a dedicated two year programme, completed in our Reception class, which follows the Early Years curriculum. For further details of the academic curriculum followed please click here.  Wrap-around care is available in the Nursery from 7.30am to 6.00pm, with free enrichment to 4.00pm on a Tuesday and Thursday.  Willington's holiday enrichment by Après-School is available exclusively for all Willington children from Nursery to Year 2, providing a 50-week a-year solution for working parents. (Click here to find out more).

Read on for our FAQs and details of how your child can take their first steps to an 'education for life' in our Nursery. 

About the Nursery - FAQs 

At what age can my child join the Nursery?

The Nursery is open to children who have reached their third birthday by 31st August. Children will spend a maximum of three terms in the Nursery before transitioning to the Reception classes.

Where is the Nursery located?

The Nursery is on the ground floor of the School and is accessed via the junior playground. A secure outdoor learning area contains the dedicated entrance to the Nursery. 

Do you supply a hot lunch?

Nursery children will be provided with a hot lunch, together with a healthy snack for midmorning. Packed lunches are provided for any trips.

What are the drop off and pick-up times?

The Nursery opens at 8.30am and finishes at 3.30pm.  Wrap-around care is available in the Nursery from 7.30am to 6.00pm, with free enrichment to 4.00pm on a Tuesday and Thursday.  Willington's holiday enrichment by Après-School is available exclusively for all Willington children from Nursery to Year 2, providing a 50-week a-year solution for working parents. (Click here to find out more).

Do you offer morning and afternoon sessions?

We only offer full day places, with a minimum requirement of 3 days a week. 

What will the staff:pupil ratio be?

There are three full-time, experienced members of staff at all times in the Nursery. It is important that the statutory guidelines on staff:pupil ratios are met at all times. 

What do the children wear?

All the children will wear black shorts/jogging bottoms with a white crested polo shirt and our distinctive red sweatshirt with the Willington logo. This uniform will be comfortable for the children to wear while enjoying all activities and the clothes are easy to layer through the seasons. The uniform is used as the PE kit when your child joins Reception.

Does my child need to be dry before starting?

While this would be expected, we do appreciate that some of the younger children may be wearing pull-up pants.

 

 

Fees & Workplace Vouchers
 

What are the fees?

The fees for a full-time Nursery place for the 2023-24 academic year are £5,390 per term. The Nursery Education Grant of 15 hours a week is also available in the Nursery. Please contact bursar@willingtonschool.co.uk for further details.

Do you accept workplace childcare vouchers?

Yes we do. Please email bursar@willingtonschool.co.uk for further details.

Joining the Nursery 

Visiting Us

We hold Saturday open mornings, together with regular Headmaster's coffee mornings. Individual meetings may also be arranged with the Headmaster, followed by a tour of the Nursery and the wider school. 

 

How do I register?

You can register your child at any time for a place in the Nursery by completing the online registration form (see button below). Children should be registered six months in advance of their expected start date in order to be invited to attend a Stay and Play session. However, we are mindful that many new families move in to the Wimbledon area and, if you have not yet registered within this timing, please contact Lucy Walton on 020 8971 0452 to discuss availability. 

 

Will my child be assessed before joining the Nursery?

All children registered for the Nursery will be invited to attend a Stay and Play Session, 6  months in advance of their expected start date and a confidential reference will be sought from the child's current nursery.  Additional sessions may be run during the course of the year if places become available. The sessions are led by the Deputy Head of the Pre-Prep and members of the EYFS team. Offers of places will be sent to families following these sessions.  Families may be offered a waiting list place. It is a requirement of our admissions policy that we meet all children prior to making offers.

Offers and Acceptance of Places

Offers will be sent 6 months in advance of children joining the Nursery, following the Stay and Play session and in line with our admissions policy. Priority will be given to those families who already have a child at the School. Due to limited places, pupils may be given  a waiting list place and will be offered a place in line with our admissions policy, when a space becomes available.

Acceptance of Places

Parents will receive a formal offer letter and will be asked to return the signed Parent Contract and deposit payment of £2,000 (non-refundable if the child is withdrawn from the School before joining) with a two-week acceptance deadline. 

First Term's Fees

Invoices will be sent out at the end of the Summer term prior to joining, and fees will be payable by or on the first day of the Autumn term of joining.

Is my child guaranteed a place in your Reception class?

We expect all our Nursery children to transition to the Reception class, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

"So happy to be part of this school community.""  New Nursery Parent 23/24

 

Being part of a small, nurturing community allows children to learn from positive role models, feel a sense of belonging and be their best self as they start their educational journey.