St Edward's Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

At the inspection on 11 and 12 January 2023, Year 6 pupils made storybooks to share with nursery children at St Edward's. This connected the youngest learners with older pupils through stories created for them.

On Green Street in Upton Park, the Catholic primary school has nursery provision alongside a preschool for two-year-olds. Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 11 and 12 January 2023. That judgement covers the school's early years, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Conversation and cooperation are substantial parts of learning here. In January 2023, children in early years stayed involved in their activities and practised sharing, waiting for a turn and helping one another. Adults also encouraged them to put feelings into words. For a young child, these are practical foundations for joining a group and explaining what they need.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the early learning phase here. Its daily work includes emotional expression and social skills, alongside a curriculum that begins in early years. A music specialist teaches EYFS classes each week, giving music a regular place in children's learning.

School grounds are used for learning beyond the classroom. Language work adds another concrete activity: children can use puppets to retell a story. Extra English language sessions in the Foundation Stage include poems, rhymes, conversation and vocabulary work. These give children who are learning English opportunities to practise speaking and listening through familiar stories and repeated language.

Staffing distinguishes the two younger age groups. Nursery has a class teacher; preschool has a room leader and teaching assistants. Families can also approach the school office to contact the Inclusion Manager or SENCO about additional needs.

Support begins with assessing children's skills on entry and discussing concerns with parents when special educational provision may be needed. The school uses a cycle of assessment, planning, support and review, so the response can change as a child's needs become clearer. Speech and language interventions and Colourful Semantics are among its support options. Their suitability depends on the individual child.

For children learning English, the school encourages families to keep using their first language. That makes home language part of the conversation about a child's development, alongside support with English.

Reception admission. Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the admission criteria for entry from September 2026. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority. Nursery attendance is not a substitute for applying.

For September 2026 entry, the application deadline was 15 January 2026. Newham residents applied through Newham; families living elsewhere applied through their own borough. A Supplementary Information Form was also required for consideration under faith criteria, with the same deadline. These dates belong to that past entry cycle.

Nursery applications can be sent to admissions@st-edwards.olog.org.uk. For preschool enquiries, families can arrange a tour using the Book a School Visit Form. This gives parents a direct way to discuss joining the provision.

The nursery uniform is practical: navy tracksuit trousers and top, a white polo T-shirt, and simple trainers or plimsolls. Clothing should carry the child's name and class name, helping staff identify belongings during the day.