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Nursery at Eltham Church of England 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Phase One of Letters and Sounds, daily outdoor learning and stories shared by Reading Ambassadors give Eltham’s nursery its character: early listening and reading sit alongside exploration. This is the school’s own nursery on Roper Street in Eltham, with capacity expressed as 26 full-time-equivalent places. That is a capacity measure, rather than a promise of 26 full-day bookings.
Hope is the nursery class, and its teacher also leads the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The nursery therefore sits within the school’s early-years team. Ofsted judged early-years provision Good at the inspection on 2 and 3 November 2022; this was an early-years judgement within the school inspection.
Learning combines children’s choices with activities introduced or directed by adults. The EYFS curriculum uses topics to organise learning, while allowing children’s interests to influence its direction. In practical terms, children have opportunities to choose a task and stay with it, alongside teaching that introduces new skills.
Indoor and outdoor learning areas are accessible daily. Across the early-years phase, phonics and number work happen each day, with afternoons used for creative exploration of topics. Nursery children work with Phase One of Letters and Sounds, which concentrates on the listening skills needed for later reading. Reading Ambassadors have also shared stories with nursery children through Buddy Reading, bringing older pupils into their reading experience.
The early-years computing activities make another useful distinction: programming begins with physical instructions and maps. Children can experiment with Bee-Bots during their ongoing classroom activities, while BusyThings is used together as a class. Technology is paired with an early message about which adult to approach about online experiences.
In November 2022, language development and communication were strengths in early years, alongside activities supporting coordination and balance. Children also learned counting, addition and subtraction well. Curriculum precision. Some subjects, including in early years, needed clearer decisions about the knowledge and skills children should retain. This matters because teachers need a precise sequence of learning, as well as appealing activities.
Tapestry connects classroom observations with home. Adults record children’s developing skills and share successes with families; parents can contribute examples from home too. This gives both sides material for conversations about a child’s progress. An early-years adult is available for questions before and after school, and the day begins with a gradual start intended to help parents build relationships with staff.
Additional needs are supported through the school’s special educational needs coordinator, the local authority’s Speech and Language Therapist and the Autism Spectrum Disorder outreach service. In November 2022, potential SEND was identified from early years, with teaching adjusted to children’s needs. Parents can raise learning concerns with the class teacher and arrange a meeting through the office.
Lunch has a defined place in the routine: the nursery lunch period begins at 11:30 and lasts an hour.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the Royal Borough of Greenwich, following the normal primary admissions process and its deadline.
The September 2026 admission arrangements gave no priority for attending this nursery. They also excluded a sibling attending only the nursery from sibling priority. Familiarity with the school and eligibility for a Reception place are separate matters; families should plan the application accordingly.
Nursery application forms can be obtained through the admissions page or in paper form from the school. For enquiries, contact the office on 020 8850 1528 or sao1@elthamce.greenwich.sch.uk. Office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
School tours run on Tuesdays at 09:30 during term time and are booked by calling the office. They provide a practical opportunity to see the school before making an application.
The nursery has 26 full-time-equivalent places. This describes capacity rather than a particular session pattern.
Nursery children engage with Phase One of Letters and Sounds, supporting listening skills before later reading development.
Tapestry shares observations and successes with families, who can also contribute examples of their child’s development at home.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The September 2026 arrangements did not give priority for nursery attendance.
Yes. Tours take place on Tuesdays at 09:30 during term time. Call 020 8850 1528 to book.
