St Matthias Church of England Primary School Nursery

Play dough, construction-area mark-making and access to a mud kitchen give St Matthias nursery a practical, playful character. This is the nursery class within the Church of England primary school on Wordsworth Road, London. It welcomes three- and four-year-olds, with a maximum annual intake of 26 children. Children join in the term following their third birthday.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) takes shape through play, movement, conversation and early writing. In the construction area, children can make marks as part of what they are building, rather than keeping writing to a separate table. Paint and glitter feature in letter-formation activities; play dough gives small hands something to squeeze and manipulate. Obstacle courses, throwing and catching, bikes and scooters add larger movements. These are practical ways to work on the coordination needed for writing.

Talk4Writing supports spoken language and sentence-building in early years. Music starts with simple songs and games, while a specialist teacher teaches Spanish weekly across EYFS. For a young child, that means opportunities to use language through different activities, alongside the physical work of learning to write.

Outside, the school's shared learning spaces include growing areas, bug hotels and a mud kitchen, with nursery children included in access to the outdoors. Nature becomes material for exploration. At the inspection on 27 and 28 June 2023, Ofsted found that early-years children sustained attention during adult teaching and explored play activities with curiosity and purpose. It also described routines that helped children practise sharing, taking turns and clearing away, making everyday cooperation part of learning.

Before children start, the school's admissions process includes either a home visit or a meeting at school with the child and their parents or carers. This gives families a chance to discuss strengths and additional needs before the first session. The nursery has a Nursery Manager, while the wider school's SEND arrangements bring together class teachers, the SENDCo and support staff.

For children needing additional support, families receive a provision map each term and can help shape support plans. Possible adjustments include sensory tools, movement breaks and access to a space designed around sensory needs. Low-level access serves all school buildings. The practical emphasis is on matching support to the child, rather than expecting each child to manage the same routines in the same way.

Lunch changes the collection arrangements for some morning children: those eligible for free school meals can stay for a free lunch from noon until 1pm, with collection at 1pm. Families should distinguish that conditional extension from the usual morning session.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. The 2026/27 admission arrangements give no priority simply for attending nursery; families must make a separate application through Hackney Education. The Reception application route uses Pan London E-Admissions, and the annual deadline is 15 January. Put that application in the diary even if your child already attends nursery.

Transition support is a separate matter. For children with additional needs, the school's approach can include extra classroom visits, Social Stories and visual countdowns. These help children prepare for a change of room and routines; they do not alter the admission criteria.

A 15-hour code gives access to five morning sessions, Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 11:30am. Families can enquire about an afternoon alternative or arranging the 15 hours across two and a half days. These are requests to discuss, rather than confirmed interchangeable booking options.

Children eligible for a fully funded full-time place who hold a 30-hour code can attend from 8:30am to 3:30pm, five days a week. Nursery applications go directly to the school and can be made at any time. The application requires the child's Red Book, full birth certificate, home-address evidence and a parent's photographic identification. For enquiries, call 020 7254 1148 or email admin@st-matthias.hackney.sch.uk.