More information about our Nursery
Current opportunities
Associate Tutor
We are seeking to appoint an outstanding Associate Tutor to help develop our school. We are looking for someone with a positive and professional attitude who will thrive serving the needs of our school community. This is an exciting and rare opportunity to help grow One Degree Academy and to be part of something profound and special.
Teacher
We are seeking to appoint an outstanding Teacher to play a key role in the development of our school. We are looking for someone with a positive and professional attitude, who will thrive serving the needs of our school community. This is an exciting and rare opportunity to help grow One Degree Academy and to be part of something profound and special.
Looking for a great Nursery?
Our Vision
At One Degree we know how important the first few years of a child’s development are. We know 90% of brain development is, typically, completed by age 5 (Kennedy et al, 2002). Children only get one chance at learning the fundamentals, so we ensure that we provide an excellent offer for our 2-4 year olds in our Nursery.
We know that a key factor for children to be successful is through positive interactions with highly skilled adults. Our team works hard to ensure that children feel safe and happy by building positive relationships from the very start of the transition process. Parents have opportunities to speak to the teaching team at the end of the day at collection, and the team aim to make regular phone calls home to keep parents up to date. We also use the online platform Tapestry, where staff share occasional “proud moments” from school and encourage families to do the same from home.
The settling-in process is thoughtful and gradual, with stay-and-play sessions, home visits and personalised support for children who need extra care during the transition.
Our Curriculum
Our carefully designed curriculum is delivered through direct instruction (whole class carpet time) as well as small group work and lots of play both inside and outside (in all weathers!). Full details of our curriculum can be found on our Curriculum Maps. We know the importance and benefit of a storytelling approach so reading extends beyond English lessons. We ensure that all children are exposed to a wide range of diverse texts that help to support their understanding of new topics and expand their vocabulary.
Our Policies
We are a school-based nursery and so our policies, including attendance, mirror that of the rest of the school. It is important to us that our Nursery students feel like a part of the whole school and so they join the Reception students in weekly Celebration Assemblies and take part in all whole school events (e.g. World Book Day). Our admissions process follows the main school’s policy, with applications open in February for the following September. We occasionally do in-year admissions but this is dependent upon the cohort size, staffing and needs of the students.
Hours & Funding
Our Nursery is term-time only. Please see the school calendar for holidays and other school closure days.
2-3 Year Old Nursery
Our 2-3 Year Old Nursery is 15 hours (8:20am - 11:20, Monday to Friday). You can apply for your funded hours in three ways depending on your status:
Families Receiving Financial Support
📑 Apply through the Local Authority's Terrific Twos programme. This is for families receiving any financial support. A full list of eligibility can be found here. People entitled to this type of support will receive funding for 15 hours.
Working Families
📑 Apply through the government funding scheme, which provides funding for up to 30 hours. Please note: you can choose to split your funding between settings if you would like to as we only offer 15 hours of childcare.
Privately Paying Parents
Please note: the cost of our 2-3 Year Old Nursery is £333 / week.
3-4 Year Old Nursery (from September 2026)
Funded Entitlement (Previously Nursery Education Funding) - 15 Hours
🕣 8:20 - 11:20
📅 Monday to Friday
Allows 3- and 4-year-old children to access up to 15 hours of funded early education and childcare with a nursery, preschool, child-minder or school that is registered to offer funded places.
Extend Hours
🕣 8:20 - 15:30 📅 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
🕣 8:20 - 14:00 📅 Wednesday
If you are entitled to 15 hours a week of free childcare but would like your child to attend full-time, you can top up for a weekly cost of £222 per week.
Free Childcare - 30 Hours
🕣 8:20 - 14:25 📅 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
🕣 8:20 - 14:00 📅 Wednesday
Some families may be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare. This includes family dining. You will need to provide evidence that you are eligible for this at a later date.
❓ Find out more information here.
Extend Hours
🕣 8:20 - 15:30 📅 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
🕣 8:20 - 14:00 📅 Wednesday
Parents can extend their hours from 14:25 to 15:30 for an additional charge of £40 per week.
If you are entitled to 15 hours a week and receive Universal Credit, we may be able to support you with additional hours! We want as many children as possible to be able to attend full-time hours, and so we are working to top up your hours from 15 to 30 for free! Please give us a call or contact admissions@onedegreeacademy.org if you think this could help you and you would like to hear more about eligibility.
Want to find out more?
If you're looking for an inspiring and caring space where your child will thrive, we would love for you to get in touch or attend one of our Open Mornings (keep an eye out for future Open Mornings here).
✆ 020 3150 1144
🖂 admissions@onedegreeacademy.org
FAQs
Will there be a uniform?
Yes - it is compulsory.
- Black tracksuit bottoms, white polo shirt, purple ODA jumper (crew neck), small ODA bag, black shoes or plimsolls
- No PE kit needed
Is there a settling in period? What happens if my child never settles?
Yes, the transition starts from the Summer term, including:
- Registration Day
- Stay-and-Play
- Home Visits
- Staggered Start
- Tailored transition available for children who need them, such as those with additional educational needs
Do we have to book all 5 days? Can we build up to more days?
The standard 15 hours are distributed over 5 days, 8:20 - 11:20am. In some cases (i.e. if the child has an additional educational need), there can be a discussion about a reduced timetable but this will be done with the SENDCo and Early Years Lead.
What are your policies about absence/ sickness, attendance and punctuality, admissions, etc.?
The Home-School Agreement shared with you on Registration Day is clear about expectations. You can find our Policies here. Please note that there is not an automated place in Registration following Nursery, as you will need to apply.
What will the children eat and drink?
There are no packed lunches and water bottles are not allowed. We provide snack time (fruit, milk, etc.) and Family Dining at ODA, which you can read about here.
There is a Hub Lunch available for AEN provision, which involves separated food and support from SENDCo with eating habits.
What are your policies around AEN?
Please see the school policy here.
SENDCo and EYFS Lead support teaching teams to ensure inclusive practice. If you have specific AEN concerns, please contact admissions@onedegreeacademy.org before applying and arrange a meeting with our SENDCo and EYFS Lead to discuss how we can meet your child's needs.
Do the children take naps?
No, in line with best practice, children should be awake at school.
Support is available in terms of Early Help for families who need sleep routine support.