Hermitage Primary School Nursery

A Teddy Bears picnic and a gradual build-up of hours give Hermitage’s nursery a concrete starting point for young children. This is nursery provision on the primary school site in Wapping, with full-time and part-time places for children from three. Nursery belongs to the school’s Foundation Stage, so the setting sits within a wider primary school community.

Children normally start from the term after their third birthday, subject to places being available. An earlier start in the birthday term needs the school’s agreement and exceptional circumstances. For families, the distinction matters: turning three does not automatically mean an immediate start.

The early days build in stages. Children begin with an hour, move to two hours and then three, with full-time attendance following when they are ready. That gives the nursery routine time to become familiar before children take on a longer day.

The wider school grounds include a forest school area and a pond, alongside wildlife. These are features of the school site rather than a description of a nursery timetable, but they give this central London setting a concrete outdoor character.

Within Hermitage’s approach to additional needs, teaching can use visual timetables, changes to resources and advance introductions to vocabulary. Children with special educational needs learn alongside their peers, with activities adapted towards a shared learning goal. The practical aim is participation in the classroom, with support adjusted to the child.

Before starting, nursery children visit their classroom for the Teddy Bears picnic. Home visits take place for all new nursery children, and families can meet their child’s teacher in the summer term. Together with the staged start, these arrangements give parents opportunities to discuss concerns before attendance builds up.

Support involves the SENCO, class teachers and, where needed, specialist services including Phoenix Outreach and speech therapists. Parents’ consent is sought before other specialists are contacted. Families therefore take part in decisions about additional help.

Across the school, accessible classrooms, toilets with a changing bed and a hygiene room provide facilities for personal care. Multilingual staff can help parents through interpretation and translation. Regular communication includes two parent evenings each year and an annual progress report; parents can also speak with the class teacher, Home School Liaison Officer or Pastoral Lead about concerns. Daily fruit and vegetable snacks form part of the school’s food provision.

Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives admission priority. Families must make a separate application through the normal Tower Hamlets coordinated admissions route. For September 2027 entry, the application deadline is 15 January 2027, with outcomes due on 16 April 2027. Keep that application separate from nursery arrangements.

Transition visits with parents introduce children to Reception staff and their new surroundings. These visits help children prepare for the change; they do not confer an admissions advantage.

Funded nursery education covers 15 hours weekly during term time, over 38 weeks, starting in the term after a child turns three. Eligible working families can receive a funded full-time place of 30 hours weekly. The eligibility code must be passed to the school after a part-time offer. Paid additional hours can also be discussed with the office; contact the school for current charges.

Nursery enquiries go to the school office or hpsadmin@letta.org.uk. Prospective-parent tours run throughout the year, typically on Friday mornings at 9:30 AM, and can be booked by phone or email. A tour gives families a practical opportunity to see the setting before choosing it.