St Thomas' CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Weekly street dance and learning goals for each nursery term give St Thomas' youngest children both movement and direction. This is the school's own nursery class in North Kensington, on Appleford Road. It has 26 places, with children joining in September following their third birthday.

A Christian ethos sits alongside a welcome for families of every faith and background. At the Ofsted inspection on 14 and 15 January 2025, the school's early years provision received an Outstanding judgement. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning about language, relationships, movement, numbers, literacy, creativity and the world around children. The federation sets its own Curriculum Goals for each nursery term, giving learning a sequence across the year. In January 2025, early years activities developed children's knowledge progressively across the learning areas. The emphasis is on building foundations step by step.

Street dance adds a weekly session with a specialist teacher for children across EYFS. It gives physical learning a distinct activity of its own. Everyday responsibility also has a practical expression: early years children choose the tidiest learning areas by voting and elect a tidy up inspector. Making a choice and taking responsibility become things children do, rather than simply hear about.

Expectations start early. In January 2025, staff established predictable routines and clear ways of doing things in early years, alongside expectations for behaviour. Children were learning curiosity, respect and how to cooperate. These are useful foundations for sharing a learning space with other children.

Settling happens gradually during the autumn term. That gives the move into nursery a staged beginning, rather than making the first day carry the whole adjustment.

For additional needs, the school's first point of contact is the class teacher. Further concerns go to the Head of School or Deputy Head, who decide whether to bring in the special educational needs coordinator (SENCo). Parents receive updates from the class teacher and take part in review meetings about progress and next steps. This gives families a clear route for raising concerns.

Physical access includes lifts and ramps between floors, wheelchair-accessible doorways and acoustic panels that reduce sound in rooms. These are concrete features for families considering mobility or hearing needs. The school's food information includes St Thomas' menus with allergen details, plus resources about food allergies and intolerances, giving parents a starting point for discussing dietary needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority, using the Reception Common Application Form and meeting the deadline for their entry year. Places are allocated against the school's admission criteria.

Where a Christian religious affiliation supports an application under those criteria, families must also return a Supplementary Information Form to the school office. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two separate decisions, and complete both processes.

The nursery's school day runs from 8.55am to 3.20pm. It describes 15 funded hours for all children, with a further 15 hours subject to eligibility. Childcare Choices is the route given for checking eligibility for 30 hours.

Nursery applications go directly to the school office using the Nursery Application Form. For enquiries or a school tour, call 020 8969 2810 or email stadmin@lifefull.org. Autumn 2026 tours begin at 9.30am and take approximately 30 to 45 minutes. To book, provide your name, mobile number and preferred tour date.