The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Chisenhale Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, garden time and opportunities to mix with older children shape nursery life at Chisenhale. Children aged three to four belong to a single nursery class within the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), on Chisenhale Road in Bow. Some teaching happens within their own year group; at other points, nursery children mix with Reception children. That gives them contact with the next stage of school during their nursery day.
Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 18 and 19 June 2024. This is the school's early years judgement, covering provision beyond the nursery alone.
Books have a daily place in early years learning. Children hear stories together, discuss their ideas with adults and explore books independently. Returning to familiar stories gives them practice in retelling events and talking about characters. These are concrete parts of their EYFS learning, the early years stage shared by nursery and Reception.
The nursery's February 2026 newsletter gives a useful picture of how learning connects. The Great Race introduced the Chinese Zodiac, while children made dragon masks, lanterns and celebration cards. A pictogram recorded their birth-year animals, and the race supplied a reason to practise ordinal numbers. Letters & Sounds work focused on the letter and sound Ll. Story, making and mathematics came together around one theme.
The early years garden provides outdoor learning space, with access subject to weather and ground conditions. In February 2026, PTA funding was announced for scooters, bikes and trikes, intended to add physical challenges. Indoors, classroom acoustic panels are a practical feature intended to help children with hearing difficulties.
Language development. In June 2024, staff did not consistently demonstrate language that expanded children's vocabulary and sentence construction, limiting some children's chances to hear and use unfamiliar language. Ask during a tour how adults build conversation into stories and play.
Settling begins before the first nursery term. Summer play sessions let children get to know the setting, while parents meet staff and share information about additional needs. The parental engagement officer takes part, giving families an early contact. First-half-term assessments help staff identify needs that were not already known.
For children receiving SEND support, a Student Passport records needs and helpful strategies, with contributions from parents, children and staff. The school's July 2025 SEND report describes twice-yearly individual progress reviews and a speech and language therapist working one day each week. This gives families specific routes for discussing support.
Food is tangible too. The January 2026 early years menu includes macaroni cheese, tomato and chickpea curry, and falafel. Breakfast Club offers choices including cereals, fruit and bagels; dietary requirements must be recorded when registering.
Parents can speak to teaching staff after school or arrange a longer conversation. Chisenhale Chatter carries school news and meeting information, and one parents' meeting evening has appointments until 7pm.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process. Tower Hamlets' 2024/25 community-primary arrangements did not include nursery attendance among the priority criteria; check the arrangements for your child's entry year.
For September 2026 entry, the application deadline was 15 January 2026, using www.eadmissions.org.uk. That cycle has passed. Familiarity through mixing with Reception children is useful transition experience, but it did not confer an admissions advantage under the 2024/25 arrangements.
The EYFS entrance opens at 8:45am and closes at 8:55am; nursery finishes at 3:15pm. The school lists Breakfast Club from 7:45am to 8:45am and Night Owls from 3:15pm to 6pm. Both require advance booking and confirmed places. They exclude school holidays and INSET days, and Night Owls also excludes each term's final day.
Tower Hamlets' nursery scheme offers part-time places initially. Full-time requests depend on availability, with additional funded hours requiring eligibility and HMRC code evidence. Additional hours can also be charged where families do not qualify. Contact the school for current charges.
Wraparound support. Clubs can sometimes be unable to accommodate children requiring continuous individual support. Their toilet-training requirement has an exception for recognised medical or other special needs. Discuss suitability before booking.
Early Years tours can be requested through the admissions page's booking form. For nursery enquiries, call 0208 980 2584. Children should bring changing and book bags each day, with suitable outdoor clothing.
Chisenhale's nursery is for children aged three to four, organised as one class within the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Shared reading includes discussion, retelling and exploring characters. In February 2026, The Great Race also supported ordinal-number work, a pictogram and Lunar New Year crafts.
Children are invited to summer play sessions before starting. Parents meet staff to discuss their child, including any additional needs, and the parental engagement officer joins the sessions.
Yes, subject to booking and a confirmed place. Breakfast Club and Night Owls accommodate nursery children in the early years unit. Holiday exclusions and individual support or toilet-training conditions apply.
No. A separate application is required. The 2024/25 Tower Hamlets community-primary arrangements did not give priority for nursery attendance; families should check the arrangements for their child's entry year.
