William Patten Primary School Nursery Review

Core books, outdoor play and learning to take turns give William Patten’s nursery its shape. This is the school’s own provision for three- and four-year-olds in Stoke Newington, with part-time and full-time places. Children belong to its Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), where the school aims to develop curiosity, perseverance and care for others.

Ofsted judged early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 11 and 12 October 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Books anchor the morning. Children put away their coats and register themselves, then have a core-book session and literacy teaching before choosing activities and working on a focused task. Fruit, maths and outdoor learning follow. The timetable is a guide: activities and timings change with children’s interests and the curriculum.

Afternoons begin with outdoor play, followed by maths or RWI phonics, focused work and further time choosing activities. Stories and independent book time feature again before home time. The balance matters: adult teaching has a place, but children also have opportunities to explore indoors and outside.

EYFS learning here combines knowledge with social development. In October 2023, children’s activities developed both, while teachers supported spoken vocabulary through practice. Nursery children also learnt to share turns and assist one another. These are practical foundations for joining a group and expressing an idea.

The Nursery garden is part of the learning space. EYFS children have made seed bombs after learning about pollinators, with planting planned for the Nursery and Reception gardens. It gives an environmental topic a tangible purpose. Jigsaw adds age-appropriate teaching about relationships, feelings and belonging, with a lesson each week.

Settling involves parents: the early years team works with families as children adjust to the setting. Communication continues through Seesaw, where staff share observations of children’s learning. Parents can see how their child engages with the week’s focus, giving them something specific to discuss at home.

Fruit time and a lunch break punctuate the nursery timetable. For children staying after school, staff collect them from their classroom, support toileting and handwashing, then provide a snack and drink in the ASC room. Families should share allergies and dietary requirements with that team.

For concerns about development or learning, parents can request a class-teacher meeting during the term. SEND support follows an assess, plan, do and review cycle, with parents involved in planning adjustments and interventions. Support plans receive termly reviews. The school’s ground floor has ramp access and an accessible toilet, practical details for families using wheelchairs or pushchairs.

A separate application is essential. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through Hackney Education; for September 2027 entry, the online deadline is 15 January 2027. The school cannot exercise discretion over Reception allocations, so familiarity with the nursery should never be treated as an admissions promise.

For children with SEND moving between classes, staff pass information to the next teacher through a handover meeting. Additional transition work may take place individually or in a small group, and a Moving On book may help. This supports continuity of care and learning; it does not secure admission.

Part-time attendance provides 15 funded hours for three- and four-year-olds, split into daily sessions of three hours: 9am to noon or 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Full-time places run from 9am to 3.30pm. Eligible working families can use an additional 15 funded hours, with an eligibility check and code required; families without that funding can pay a top-up. Contact the school for current charges.

Wraparound care for three- and four-year-olds began in September 2026, extending provision from 8am to 6pm. Breakfast Club runs from 8am to 9am, and after-school options end at 4.30pm or 6pm. These sessions carry separate charges, with reduced rates for children eligible for Pupil Premium. Booking and availability enquiries go to the school office.

For nursery applications, return the completed form to the office. After-school collection uses the Dynevor Road gate; tell staff if a different authorised adult will collect. Bring a water bottle, bookbag and suitable coat for after-school care.