St Luke's Church of England Primary School Nursery

Tarragon Class gives the youngest children their own identity within St Luke's Church of England Primary School in West Norwood. The nursery belongs to the school's Foundation Stage provision and takes children from the term following their third birthday. Part-time and full-time places depend on availability.

Provision was approved to begin in September 2023, with up to 21 children in each morning and afternoon session. St Luke's describes its Christian ethos as shaping nursery life. For families, this means choosing an early start within a church school, with its own nursery class rather than a separate childcare setting.

Three session patterns shape the day: a morning, an afternoon or an all-day place. Morning children attend from 9am until noon; afternoon children come from 12.30pm until 3.30pm. An all-day session runs from 9am to 3.30pm, allowing children to stay across both parts of the day.

Busy time is a named part of nursery learning. Within the wider early-years approach, St Luke's aims to encourage creativity and independent thinking, treating mistakes as opportunities to learn. That gives parents a useful sense of its intended approach: children are encouraged to try ideas, rather than simply avoid getting things wrong.

The school grounds include a field, a hard pitch and a pond within a nature area. These are features of the wider school site. Nursery children are part of the Foundation Stage provision, connecting their early education with the school's early-years team and leadership.

Communication with families includes Class Dojo, updated daily within the early-years provision. Children's development is monitored and discussed frequently with parents, who can also share achievements from home. This gives families a way to connect learning at nursery with what their child is doing beyond the classroom.

For children staying for lunch, families supply a packed lunch or pay for a school meal. Nursery pupils do not qualify for Universal Free School Meals. Lunch therefore needs its own place in the family's childcare planning.

Physical access includes a single-storey, level site, step-free classroom entrances and ramps serving the main entrance and playground. St Luke's says it responds to children's differing needs, including communication, learning, emotional and sensory or physical needs. Families can raise safeguarding concerns through the designated safeguarding lead, including by email during holidays.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority's Common Application Form, naming St Luke's among their preferences, and meet the deadline for their child's admission year. Applications for foundation places also require a supplementary form sent to the school.

Membership of the same Foundation Stage provision is an educational connection. It should not be treated as an admissions entitlement.

The nursery follows school terms across 38 weeks. Its funding model includes 15 funded hours a week across 38 weeks and a 30-hour offer conditional on a valid eligibility code verified by the school. If that code cannot be confirmed, the extended-hours offer can be withdrawn and an alternative 15-hour session may not be possible.

Lunch supervision within the 30-hour provision carries a separate charge. Contact the school for current charges, nursery enquiries or a personal tour on 020 8670 1981. Permanent withdrawal requires two weeks' written notice.