St Edmund's and St Thomas' Catholic Primary School Nursery

Play is the starting point here: adults join children’s activities, talk through their ideas and build language around what interests them. The nursery belongs to St Edmund's and St Thomas' Catholic Primary School on Oxford Road in Waterloo, where it forms Foundation Stage 1. It sits within a Catholic school whose stated aims include compassion, service and love.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) approach combines learning basic skills with opportunities to practise them through play. Planning in the moment is the named approach: children’s interests help shape the learning, while adults participate in play and develop vocabulary through conversation. This gives children a part in directing their activities, alongside adult guidance.

Listening and problem solving receive specific attention. Adults demonstrate taking turns and listening, and use explanations to help children think further about what they are doing. Children are encouraged to try several solutions before asking for help. The emphasis is on practising independence within an activity, rather than simply completing it.

The school describes the early years learning space as organised around children’s interests, with displays that celebrate and document learning. Those interests therefore have a visible place in the classroom as well as a role in planning. Staff also monitor play and intervene when children repeatedly return to the same patterns.

For a child needing additional help, the school’s SEND arrangements begin with a conversation between parents and the teacher. The special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) contributes to understanding the child’s strengths and difficulties, and parents receive the decision about SEN support in writing. An agreed support plan gives families specific next steps.

Adjustments are chosen for the individual child. They can include extra time to process language, introducing vocabulary ahead of an activity and visual timetables. Teaching assistants can work with children individually or in small groups when needed. These are school-wide arrangements, giving nursery families a route for discussing support rather than a fixed package for every child.

Support plans are reviewed each term with parents and the class teacher, so adjustments can change as needs develop. Where specialist advice is needed, the school can involve speech and language therapists, occupational therapists or educational psychologists.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and confers no attendance-based priority for September 2027 entry. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority using its Common Application Form. The closing date for that intake is 15th January 2027. A Supplementary Information Form is also requested for applications under the specified faith criteria.

For children with SEND, transition arrangements between school years include time with the incoming teacher towards the summer term’s end. Both the existing and incoming teachers are asked to attend the final SEN discussion of the year. This supports continuity of care; it does not alter the admissions process.

Morning nursery runs from 9.00am to 12.00pm; the afternoon runs from 12.30pm to 3.15pm. The two sessions have different lengths, which matters when planning collection and childcare around them.

Nursery enquiries can go through the school office on 0151 928 5586 or by email to admin@sest.pfcmat.org. Office hours are 8.00am to 4.00pm. The nursery is at Oxford Road, Waterloo, L22 8QF.