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Nursery at Marion Richardson 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Outdoor learning has no fixed break-time slot at Marion Richardson’s nursery: children can use the outdoor area throughout their day. That gives the provision a clear practical character, with outdoor activity woven into the session rather than reserved for playtime.
The nursery belongs to Marion Richardson Primary School in Stepney. Early years occupies the Old Church Site, separate from the main school building. Ofsted graded early years provision Outstanding following its inspection on 12 and 13 March 2024. This judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) organises learning around seven areas. For parents, that means children work on talking and listening, relationships and emotions, movement, early reading and number, creative expression and understanding their surroundings. These areas shape activities and the learning environment, so the day reaches beyond preparation for reading and maths.
THE Partnership Phonics Programme begins in Nursery. Daily Phase 1 teaching develops the foundations for reading, with Phase 2 introduced for children who are secure in the earlier phase. Speaking, listening and working with sounds come before learning letter-and-sound correspondences. Children practise joining sounds together and separating them, giving early reading a practical starting point.
The nursery’s 2025-26 curriculum plan illustrates how this works through everyday routines and experiences. Story time featured daily, while maths began with routines such as snacks and tidying. The plan also included planting and looking after plants. These are concrete ways to connect language, number and understanding the natural world with things children do.
Indoor space matters too. The early years building has a single ground-floor layout, and the March 2025 accessibility plan describes the provision as accessible throughout. Children’s access to outdoor learning continues across the day, rather than depending on a designated morning break.
Independence is part of the learning. The 2025-26 nursery plan included helping children manage their own care, alongside learning to eat independently and handle cutlery. Lunch for nursery children is at 11.40am. Healthy eating also forms part of early years learning, connecting care routines with the curriculum.
Parents can speak with a member of the Nursery team after the school session finishes. SchoolPing carries news, alongside a weekly newsletter with paper copies obtainable from the office. This gives families both a direct conversation route and a way to follow school updates.
For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school’s February 2025 policy provides for termly meetings with parents to review support. The SENCO can be reached through the office. Families therefore have a contact route and scheduled opportunities to discuss adjustments, rather than relying solely on informal conversations.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal admissions process. Marion Richardson directs parents to Tower Hamlets’ school admissions arrangements and its Starting School in Tower Hamlets booklet; use that route for the Reception application.
For children with SEND, the school’s transition arrangements include sessions with the incoming teacher towards the summer term’s end, with additional transition sessions tailored to individual needs where appropriate. Those preparations support the change of class; they do not secure admission.
A 15-hour morning place runs from 9.00am to noon; the afternoon option runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Children with a 30-hour place attend from 9.00am to 3.30pm. The shorter patterns therefore involve different collection arrangements from the longer day.
Admissions enquiries go through the school office on 020 7790 1441 or admin@marionrichardson.towerhamlets.sch.uk. Parents can also arrange a school visit by emailing or calling the office.
Bring a reusable water bottle each day and label coats and jumpers or cardigans. Tell the office or teacher whenever another person will collect your child. These small routines help the Nursery team manage belongings and collection.
Morning 15-hour places run from 9.00am to noon, afternoon 15-hour places from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, and 30-hour places from 9.00am to 3.30pm.
Yes. Nursery children have access to the outdoor area throughout the day, with no designated playtimes.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process. The school directs families to Tower Hamlets’ admissions arrangements.
Parents can speak to a member of the Nursery team at the end of the school day. SchoolPing and the weekly newsletter also provide updates.
Yes. Email admin@marionrichardson.towerhamlets.sch.uk or call 020 7790 1441 to arrange a school visit through the office.
