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Nursery at St Fidelis Catholic Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Weekly woodland exploration and a Funky Finger table give this nursery two distinct ways to get children learning: observing the world outdoors and practising small movements indoors. St Fidelis Catholic Primary School’s nursery in Erith combines these practical experiences with stories, independent activity choices and Catholic religious education.
The provision belongs to the school’s early years foundation stage (EYFS). Ofsted graded early years provision Outstanding following its inspection on 18 and 19 June 2024; that judgement covers the school’s early years rather than a separately inspected nursery. Nursery reading experiences received specific recognition, with songs, storytelling and rhymes helping children engage with books.
Development Matters guides the curriculum. In everyday terms, learning includes communication, physical skills, understanding feelings and exploring the world, alongside early number work and creative activities. Children choose activities and gather the materials they need, working alone or alongside others. Adults support this child-led time, giving children practice in making decisions rather than simply following a succession of instructions.
Number learning starts with counting objects individually, spotting shapes and numbers nearby, and joining in number rhymes. Construction resources, miniature play scenes and role play give children other ways to explore ideas. Creative materials are accessible for making artwork, while writing activities take place outside as well as indoors. The nursery’s Funky Finger table specifically supports hand and finger development, making physical preparation for later writing part of the day.
Forest School takes nursery children each week to woodland beside the school, behind the Friary Garden. Their activities centre on noticing seasonal differences and looking closely at their surroundings. This gives outdoor learning a recurring place in the week, with changes in the natural world supplying the subject matter.
Catholic teaching has a practical dimension too. The Way The Truth and The Life uses Bible stories as starting points for drawing, discussion and acting out ideas. Nursery children also visit the church during the year. Religious education therefore forms part of their learning experiences, rather than sitting only in the school’s identity.
Talking about feelings is part of the curriculum: children consider how their actions affect themselves and other people. In June 2024, children across early years showed concentration, worked cooperatively and listened to adults. These are useful foundations for joining group activities and learning alongside other children.
Tapestry connects home and nursery through an online record of learning. Parents can view activities and contribute photographs or videos from home, giving staff another perspective on their child’s interests. Monthly stay-and-play sessions and weekly reading cafes also provide regular opportunities for parents to participate.
Lunch can be a paid hot school meal, with dessert and salad, or a packed lunch supplied from home. Routine consumables are generally included rather than charged separately. Families whose children are still using nappies must supply appropriately sized nappies themselves.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. The school’s admissions route requires both the council’s online application and a supplementary school form. Treat those as separate tasks: attending nursery does not replace either application step.
Funding is organised around 15 or 30 hours of childcare, with funded provision restricted to school terms. Additional hours and school dinners attract separate charges; contact the school for current charges. This term-time arrangement matters for families planning childcare during school holidays.
Nursery enquiries can go to the school office at admin@st-fidelis.bexley.sch.uk or 01322 337752. The school is on Bexley Road, Erith, DA8 3HQ.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception, completing the council’s online application and the school’s supplementary form.
They attend Forest School weekly, exploring woodland behind the Friary Garden and observing seasonal changes.
Parents can use Tapestry to view learning and upload photographs or videos from home. Nursery also holds monthly stay-and-play sessions and weekly reading cafes.
Yes. Families can provide a packed lunch instead of buying the hot school dinner, which includes salad and dessert.
Funded hours are allocated during school terms only. Additional hours and school dinners are charged separately.
