St James' Church of England Primary School Nursery

Reggio Emilia inspiration gives this nursery its named identity within St James' Church of England Primary School in Bermondsey. It belongs to the school rather than standing alone. The nursery waiting-list form offers starting-age choices of two or three years, allowing families to express which starting point they want.

The wider school has a Christian character. Its named character traits include Curiosity, Self-Control and Gratitude: these give parents a useful sense of the values surrounding the nursery, alongside its Reggio Emilia-inspired identity.

Reggio Emilia-inspired provision is the nursery's defining approach. That identity sits alongside practical options for extending the day through SJ's Breakfast and After School Club at Old Jamaica Road, which serves Early Years and Key Stage 1 children. For families using those clubs, the day includes activities beyond the nursery session itself.

Breakfast club provides a quieter start, with reading, colouring and games before school begins. Afterwards, children can take part in outdoor games, crafts and planned play. Cooking, sewing and collage also feature in themed weeks, giving children different ways to make things and join shared activities. These are wraparound activities, rather than a description of the nursery curriculum.

Food has a practical structure. Hot meals are prepared in the school's kitchens, with classroom staff helping to serve them. Menus rotate over three weeks and include allergen information, so families can check ingredients across the cycle. Packed lunches are also permitted; families bringing food from home need to follow the school's guidance on restricted items and allergy risks.

For children attending breakfast club, choices include fruit, bagels, cereal and toast. That makes breakfast part of the extended care arrangement.

SEND support is organised across the school through Quality First Teaching (QFT), with a team working alongside staff and with classes, groups and individual children. Needs are reviewed as well as supported. The school also links families to Southwark's Local Offer and its SEND policy and information report, providing routes to understand the support framework.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place in the school's Reception. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Joining the nursery waiting list is a different step from applying for that school place.

Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions. Being part of the school during the nursery years must not be taken as confirmation of a later place.

The online nursery waiting-list form gathers contact details, a preferred starting age and information about medical needs. It also asks about eligibility for the 15-hour I AM 2 code or the 30-hour Extended code, with space to enter a code when known.

Wraparound booking. Breakfast club starts at 7:30am; after-school care runs from 3:30pm to 5:45pm, with part sessions also offered. Bookings use Arbor. Families paying directly must top up before booking. Those using vouchers can book without topping up; vouchers are added as they arrive, and any uncovered cost is invoiced separately.

For nursery enquiries, use the waiting-list form or contact the school office at office@st-james.southwark.sch.uk. Contact the school for current wraparound charges.