St Stephen's CofE Primary School Nursery

Play, conversation and early reading give this nursery its character. Children can join after turning three, with a choice of morning, afternoon or full-time places at St Stephen's CofE Primary School on Albyn Road in Deptford. It is the school's own nursery provision, within a Church of England setting. The school frames its early years approach around Christian ideas of respect and belonging, alongside children's growing independence.

Adult-led learning sits alongside play that children choose themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes the curriculum: language, relationships and physical development receive particular attention, with early reading, writing and number learning woven into children's experiences. Stories prompt conversation and role play; everyday routines provide opportunities for mathematical thinking. Learning starts from children's interests and previous experiences, giving new ideas a familiar starting point.

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides the named reading approach, beginning in nursery with Foundations for Phonics. Books and conversation also feed vocabulary development. This places early reading within a broader day of speaking, listening and play, rather than making it the whole curriculum.

Indoors and outdoors, children have opportunities to investigate, explore and create. Adults demonstrate, ask questions and observe, adjusting learning in response to children. Early years art includes experimenting with materials and making marks, with small hand movements forming part of the learning. Construction and joining materials feature in design and technology, alongside thinking about what children have made. These practical experiences connect creative choices with physical skills and problem solving.

Support for additional needs sits within the school's SEND arrangements, overseen by a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). Teachers and teaching assistants share responsibility for supporting children. Adaptations can include visual timetables, extra time to process information and help individually or in small groups, depending on the child's needs. The emphasis is on adjusting teaching to the child.

For children receiving SEN support, assessment leads to a plan, practical support and a review. Parents contribute to decisions and receive termly updates to individual education plans. That gives families a recurring opportunity to discuss goals and whether the support needs to change. School-wide specialist provision includes a speech and language therapist working weekly in half-termly blocks, plus weekly play therapy for identified pupils.

Medical support includes individual healthcare plans for children with specific needs. Staff have paediatric first aid training, and all staff are trained to use EpiPens. These are school-wide arrangements rather than separate nursery services.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions route, with St Stephen's directing parents to Lewisham's primary admissions service. There is no automatic transfer into the main school. Treat choosing a nursery session and applying for Reception as two separate decisions, and complete the Reception application by the applicable deadline.

Part-time places run Monday to Friday, either from 9.00am to 12.00pm or from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Full-time places run from 9.00am to 3.30pm. Those fixed session boundaries give families a clear basis for planning collection and other childcare.

Nursery applications go to the school office, accompanied by evidence of the child's birth date and address. A child's name can go on the waiting list from age two. Families can also arrange a nursery visit by calling the office on 020 8692 1898, or make enquiries at admin@ststephensce.lewisham.sch.uk. All new starters receive free uniform and a book bag.