Christopher Hatton Primary School Nursery Review

Hoop groups for conversation, stories to act out and a separate playground give Christopher Hatton’s nursery its character: children have space to play and reasons to talk. The provision serves children aged three to four within Christopher Hatton Primary School in Holborn, with 26 places offered on a full-time or part-time basis.

Ofsted rated the school’s early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 23 and 24 February 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play and adult guidance share the day. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum combines activities children choose with learning adults lead, so children can pursue an interest while also taking part in planned teaching. Planning responds to their interests. Adults demonstrate, guide and teach directly, alongside opportunities for children to learn from one another.

Language has concrete routines here. Hoop groups practise conversation and listening; adults introduce vocabulary and sentence starters that help children explain an idea. Books are shared and discussed, while imaginative play gives children another reason to exchange ideas. In February 2022, early years children joined in with rhymes and songs and acted out The gingerbread man. Stories become something to participate in.

Independence also shapes the room. Children can reach clearly labelled materials and choose what to use, giving them practice in organising their own activity. Every classroom has a book corner. Outdoors, nursery children can use their separate playground throughout the school day, beside the Laystall Street entrance. The EYFS programme also includes exchanges with the Foundling Museum and outings to galleries and theatres, connecting classroom learning with cultural experiences beyond school.

A teacher works alongside one or two supporting adults in each EYFS classroom throughout the day. For parents, Tapestry provides updates on activities and progress, with opportunities to add their own contributions. Sessions about children’s learning give families another way to understand the approach and take part.

Lunch takes place in the ground-floor hall, with younger children eating before older pupils. A vegetarian choice is provided and the meat is halal; families can also send a healthy packed lunch. Staff monitor eating, contact parents if concerns arise and allow children time to finish. School-provided fruit is available for morning snacks, and children bring a labelled water bottle. These routines make food and drink part of the daily care arrangements.

The Inclusion Lead also serves as SENDCo, giving parents a contact for additional needs. For children who need extra preparation when joining or changing class, an individual transition plan can be developed with families and professionals. Possible steps include familiarisation visits and a photo book showing the new room and staff.

Building access. The school has no lift, and only its ground floor is accessible. Its inclusion policy also acknowledges that some physical disabilities cannot currently be accommodated. Families affected by mobility needs should consider this constraint alongside the provision’s support arrangements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the school’s listed oversubscription criteria. Families must make a separate Reception application through Camden’s admissions team, either using camden.gov.uk/admissions or contacting the team directly. Choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the nursery experience itself.

Preparation for a new classroom is a separate matter from admission. Where a child needs additional support, the school’s transition planning can include advance visits and photographs of the next room and its adults. These help make a change more familiar; they do not determine the allocation of a place.

The handbook gives nursery hours as 9am to 3.15pm, with the nursery gate used at both ends of the day. Full-time and part-time places are offered. Tell the teacher or school office if another adult will collect your child, so staff can check the arrangement before releasing them.

The nursery describes 15 funded hours each week for three- and four-year-olds. Eligible families can receive an additional 15 hours through the government’s working-parent scheme or Camden Enhanced. The latter is for Camden residents who do not qualify for the government scheme. Ask the school office for current nursery meal charges.

To enquire, complete the nursery registration form and email nursery@chrishatton.camden.sch.uk; the nursery teacher will follow up and arrange a visit. There is no compulsory uniform. Clothing and footwear should allow safe movement and suit the weather.