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Nursery at St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Colchester
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A packed lunch and a 2:35pm collection give families a practical way to use funded nursery hours without additional charges. St Teresa’s own nursery forms part of its Catholic primary school in Lexden, Colchester, combining early education with access to the school’s pastoral and safeguarding teams.
In January 2025, Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Sustained attention is one concrete strength of the early years experience: in January 2025, children maintained their concentration over lengthy stretches. For parents, that is a useful indication of children’s engagement with their learning, rather than simply a measure of how busy a session looks.
Pastoral help extends to both children and their families when needed. The nursery describes an inclusive approach that welcomes differing needs, giving parents a reason to discuss support as part of planning their child’s start.
Across the school and nursery, three safeguarding leads include the EYFS lead. Recruitment involves enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks and satisfactory references, placing responsibility for child protection within the team supporting early education.
The school’s special educational needs coordinator works with families, children and colleagues to organise SEND provision. This is a qualified teacher with the National SENCO award and ten years’ experience in the coordinator role. Parents can make contact through the school office, providing a direct route to discuss barriers to learning. For lunch, families can choose to provide a packed meal; paired with collection at 2:35pm, this supports the nursery’s approach to funded attendance.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admission process and meet the relevant deadline.
The main application goes to Essex County Council. Supporting paperwork goes directly to the school: a birth certificate, the Supplementary Information Form and, where applicable, baptismal documentation and a Certificate of Catholic Practice. These are additional to the council application, so completing nursery paperwork does not complete the Reception process. For September 2027 entry, the closing date follows Essex County Council’s deadline. Incomplete supporting paperwork can affect how an application is classified, making both parts of the process important.
The nursery aims to provide government-funded 15 or 30 hours with no compulsory top-up fees. Its packed-lunch option and 2:35pm collection are the arrangement for avoiding additional charges. Refer to the school for current charges associated with other choices.
Booking involves a nursery application and a separate session-choice form. Preferred sessions need nursery confirmation before families can rely on them for childcare planning. Applications can be submitted at any time, with consideration taking place twice a year.
Breakfast club and wrap-around club accept regular bookings as well as requests for occasional or extra sessions through the school office. Nursery visits can be arranged by appointment. Contact the office on 01206 508445 or email office@st-teresas.essex.sch.uk.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception, with the main application going to Essex County Council and supporting paperwork sent directly to the school.
The nursery aims to offer government-funded 15 or 30 hours without compulsory top-up fees. Families can provide a packed lunch and collect at 2:35pm to avoid additional charges.
No. Families should complete both the nursery application and session booking form. Sessions become confirmed only when the nursery confirms them.
Yes. Visits are welcomed by appointment. Contact the school office on 01206 508445.
Contact the school office to reach the school’s special educational needs coordinator. Pastoral support is also available to children and families when needed.
