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Nursery at Chase Lane 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play, practical exploration and early writing shape nursery learning at Chase Lane. This is the school's own Nursery Unit in Chingford, with a separate entrance on Soper Close beside the park entrance. It gives families a specific nursery access point within the school site.
Children can receive funded nursery education from the term after turning three. The July 2025 nursery policy sets out 56 places carrying 15 funded hours and 24 carrying 30 hours, with eligibility conditions attached to the longer allocation.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, physical development and social confidence with early literacy, mathematics, creative expression and learning about the world. Play is the basis of that learning. Adults assess children by observing them, using what they see to identify strengths and the next learning steps rather than relying only on finished work.
Topics such as weather or food connect activities across the Foundation Stage. Nursery children are encouraged to think of themselves as writers; the prospectus gives letters, lists and posters as examples of writing purposes. Mathematics includes practical investigation and experiences linked to the class topic, so early number learning has a context children can explore.
At the December 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that communication and language developed well from the beginning of Nursery and that early-years learning involved play and exploration. Those findings give parents a concrete reason to look closely at the emphasis on talking and learning through activity.
Local outings may extend the session beyond the site. The nursery policy includes possible visits to a park, library or shops, bringing familiar places into children's learning.
Preparation starts before admission. Home visits or visits to a child's existing nursery setting give families and staff an opportunity to discuss special educational needs. Welcome meetings for new nursery parents provide another chance to share information before children start.
All Foundation staff have paediatric first-aid training. For children needing additional support, the school's SEND arrangements use a repeating cycle of assessment, planning, support and review. Provision maps are shared with parents each term, making the support and its targets something families can discuss. A sensory room provides a quiet space for children who need help regulating their emotions; the school building also has wheelchair access and accessible toilets.
Children staying for lunch need a nut-free packed lunch. The nursery policy schedules lunch from 11:45am to 12:20pm and makes that session free of an additional charge. SchoolPing carries school messages through an app, email or a web account. Parents must report nursery absences, and staff telephone families when an absence has not been explained.
A nursery place does not guarantee entry to Chase Lane's Reception class. Families must make a separate application, and Waltham Forest allocates places under its admission policy. In the normal admissions round, parents apply through their home local authority by the national primary deadline of 15 January. Nursery attendance should therefore be treated as a choice about the nursery experience, rather than an assurance of a later place.
Transition support is a separate matter. Teacher handovers between year groups share information about children with identified or emerging special needs, helping the next team continue their support.
Attendance is term-time only. The 15-hour pattern is five mornings or five afternoons each week. The July 2025 policy gives morning hours of 8:55am to 11:55am and afternoon hours of 12:25pm to 3:25pm. Parents request a session when applying, but their preference is not guaranteed.
For a 30-hour place, that policy sets Monday to Thursday at 8:55am to 3:25pm and Friday at 8:55am to 12:55pm. The admissions page instead gives an 11:55am Friday finish, so families should resolve that timetable discrepancy before arranging collection. Longer funding requires eligibility evidence.
Apply directly to the school using its nursery form, returning it to the office or emailing chaselanepri@clpwaltham.org.uk. Collection must be by an adult; tell the teacher if someone unfamiliar will collect. The nursery entrance is on Soper Close. Uniform includes white tops, bottle-green jumpers or cardigans and grey or bottle-green trousers or skirts.
Collection charges. Collection at least 15 minutes late attracts a charge under the nursery policy. Contact the office if delayed and refer to the school for current charges. Trips involving costs may bring a request for a voluntary contribution through SchoolPing or a letter.
The nursery policy provides for 15 funded hours from the term after a child's third birthday. A 30-hour place depends on eligibility, with proof required.
The 15-hour places run as five mornings or five afternoons during term time. The July 2025 policy gives longer days from Monday to Thursday and a shorter Friday for 30-hour places; its Friday finish differs from the admissions page.
Children staying for lunch need a nut-free packed lunch. The nursery lunch session carries no additional charge.
No. A separate Reception application is required, and places are allocated under the borough's admission policy. The normal national primary application deadline is 15 January.
Download the nursery application form or request it from the school office. Return it to the office or email chaselanepri@clpwaltham.org.uk. Nursery admissions are handled directly by the school.
