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Nursery at St Benedict's 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Climbing, colour and model-making give the early years at St Benedict's their character: children choose activities, while adults turn their interests into opportunities to develop language and number skills. This is the nursery within Ealing's independent Catholic school, with a maximum of 32 places and entry from three years and three months. It sits alongside the Junior School under shared leadership.
September, January and April entry points give families three possible starting points. The practical choice is equally clear: a term-time session finishing at lunchtime, a school-length day or care extending to early evening.
Children's choices shape the learning. The ISI inspection of 23 to 25 January 2024 described early years children selecting both their activities and their play companions, with adults developing those ideas through conversation. Staff introduce vocabulary and encourage children to form sentences or find alternative describing words. Play becomes a route into more expressive speech.
Indoor and outdoor resources include climbing frames, materials for exploring colour and opportunities to construct models. These give children different ways to experiment: movement on apparatus, decisions about an artwork and the practical challenge of building a model. Adults also guide children towards new number and language challenges, rather than leaving their chosen activities unexplored.
The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the framework across seven areas of learning. In parent terms, the emphasis here is on development through activity, conversation and relationships. In January 2024, early years children progressed well towards their developmental goals. Joint activities helped them learn how to cooperate, while climbing gave them opportunities to judge physical risks for themselves.
Support responds to the child. Adults in the early years know children's individual needs and vary how much help they give, including support for language development. That matters for a child who needs a different explanation or more assistance to join an activity. The January 2024 inspection also found that staff successfully supported early years children within the school's safeguarding arrangements.
Social confidence has concrete expression: children shared, waited for others to take a turn and brought newcomers into their games. Before joining, a Nursery Stay & Play session lets children explore the setting and try activities while parents meet staff. This is distinct from the readiness assessment, a short play session attended without parents.
Lunch is prepared daily in the school's own kitchens by the catering team and served to nursery children in the Orchard Hall. Meals therefore have a named place within the school day, rather than being an incidental extra to the learning spaces.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. The Junior School application form is the published application route. Existing nursery families should confirm their Reception application requirements with Admissions. Offers depend on available places and the school's admission requirements. Applications for September 2027 entry are open, with early application recommended.
The Reception admission process includes a classroom assessment involving individual and small-group tasks. Familiarity with the nursery should not be treated as an admission entitlement.
Preparation for Pre-Prep 1 includes visits to classrooms, playtimes shared with the next stage and teaching involving both teams. These activities help children become familiar with their next learning environment. They are preparation for the move, separate from the admission decision.
Three term-time options start at 8am: Option 1 ends at 1pm, Option 2 at 3.30pm and Option 3 at 6pm. Choose the pattern around the collection time your family can sustain. Changing a nursery option requires written notice to the Admissions Office of half a term. Ask the school for current charges.
Holiday Club provides care during school holidays, with standard and extended days. Plan around its closures: one week at Christmas, one at Easter and, for nursery-age children, four weeks in August. The nursery accepts childcare vouchers.
For enquiries, contact Junior School Admissions on 020 8862 2253 or admissions@stbenedicts.org.uk. Families can book the Nursery & Junior School Open Morning on 11 November 2026 at 9am, or Stay & Play on 16 October 2026 at 9am. Surrounding roads have parking restrictions, so allow for that when planning collection.
Children can join from three years and three months, with entry points in September, January and April. There are at most 32 nursery places.
All three options begin at 8am and run during term time. Collection is at 1pm, 3.30pm or 6pm, depending on the option chosen.
No. Offers depend on availability and the school's admission requirements. Existing nursery families should confirm with Admissions what they need to do to apply for Reception.
Lunch is cooked daily in the school kitchens and served in the Orchard Hall, including to nursery children.
Yes. Book a Nursery Stay & Play session to explore the setting, try activities and meet staff. The next listed session is 16 October 2026 at 9am.
