St Peter's Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Indoor and outdoor learning connect at St Peter's, while Walworth Library brings books and storytelling into the early years week. This is a nursery with a local outlook. Children join from age three within the school's Early Years Unit on Liverpool Grove, Walworth, with part-time and full-time attendance options.

The nursery belongs to a Church of England primary school, but its own character comes through most clearly in the freedom children have to move between learning spaces. For families, that means a start to school organised around exploration, communication and growing independence.

Free-flow learning gives children access to both outside and indoor environments, with opportunities to mix with different children as they play. Movement between spaces is part of the learning approach, rather than outdoor learning being confined to a separate activity. Children can explore different experiences and extend their friendships.

The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, provides the curriculum framework. Its seven learning areas give particular attention to movement and physical development, talking and understanding language, and managing feelings and relationships. In parent terms, learning to communicate, join in and become more independent matters alongside subject knowledge. Planning combines exploration through play with active involvement and opportunities to think through ideas.

Weekly early years visits to Walworth Library involve choosing books and listening to library staff read. Theatre outings begin with Nursery, with the Unicorn Theatre among the destinations. These experiences take learning beyond the school and give children encounters with stories in different forms. A visit from local police is another early years example, connecting classroom learning with people working nearby.

Ofsted's inspection on 28 and 29 March 2023 found effective work on nursery children's language and communication, and described early years children measuring and comparing their heights. That example makes the learning tangible: mathematical ideas begin with something children can investigate about themselves.

A home visit takes place before nursery children start. This gives families an opportunity to discuss their child before the first school session. The application form gathers information about allergies, dietary requirements, medical conditions and developmental concerns, so these are practical topics to raise early.

For children with identified special needs, settling arrangements may be adapted by agreement with parents at a Team Around the Child meeting. The school SEND policy provides for teacher and SENDCo involvement in support decisions, with parents included. Makaton is used across the school to help children with communication difficulties express themselves, while toileting support can include symbols, sequencing cards and social stories.

Hot lunches are prepared by the school's catering team on site. Fresh fruit and a daily salad bar accompany the meal provision, and menus follow a three-week rotation. Families can select a packed lunch instead; switching between the two requires written notice of half a term. That makes lunch a choice to plan ahead.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the deadline for the relevant entry year; the school directs families to Southwark School Admissions.

The school's arrangements for the 2024/2025 admissions cycle explicitly require a separate application and do not include nursery attendance among their priority criteria. Families should therefore treat nursery attendance and Reception allocation as separate decisions.

For children with SEND moving between classes, information is shared with the next teacher and a planning meeting takes place. A transition book or card is also provided for home. These steps help explain the change to a child; they do not confer an admissions advantage.

Part-time attendance can be five mornings or two and a half days; full-time places are also offered. The school describes 15 funded hours as five sessions. Eligible families can apply for 30-hour funding, with the funding application completed before the start of term. Self-funded full-time attendance is another option; contact the office for current charges.

Breakfast Club accepts nursery children from 08:00 to 08:50 and includes cereal, toast and juice. Sign-up is through the office. Afternoon childcare. The school's After School Club accepts children from Reception onwards. Families choosing nursery need to plan collection accordingly.

EYFS children may wear joggers, and the uniform includes a navy cardigan or jumper and a white polo shirt, with logos optional. Label clothing. Tell the school about changes to collection arrangements: staff check unfamiliar collectors' permission. If the main carer has not notified the school of a collection change, expect a call before the child is allowed to leave.

For nursery enquiries, email office@stpeterswalworth.co.uk or call 020 7703 4881. Application forms can be downloaded or collected from the office.