Mayville Academy Nursery Review

Learning to listen and follow routines starts in Mayville’s Nursery. That gives this school nursery a practical focus alongside its creative activities: children begin learning how to take part in a shared day. The nursery accepts children from 3 years old and is part of Mayville Academy on Lincoln Street in Leytonstone.

At the Ofsted inspection on 8 and 9 May 2024, early years provision was graded Good. This was an early years judgement within the school’s inspection.

Creative exploration combines children’s own choices with activities led by adults. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children investigate how materials feel, look and move, experiment with colour and learn to handle simple tools. In parent terms, this means learning through making and exploring, with adults helping children develop techniques as well as express their ideas.

Choosing materials is part of the learning too. Children select media for their work and make changes where needed, giving them opportunities to develop an idea rather than simply complete a task.

Mayville describes an enquiry approach that connects subjects and uses starting experiences to spark curiosity. The wider school site includes a nature garden, an amphitheatre and a football-size astro-turf pitch. These are school facilities; the nursery’s creative learning and its introduction to shared routines provide the clearest picture of its day.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), Mayville uses a cycle of assessment, planning, action and review. Possible support includes changes to classroom teaching, individual or small-group work, extra adult help and specialist equipment. The point is to match the response to the child’s needs, then reconsider it as progress develops.

Parents participate in that process. Families of children on the SEND register are invited to termly discussions about provision and receive an annual progress report. Where needs have already been identified before a child joins, staff work with the family and other professionals to gather information ahead of the start. Advice may come from educational psychologists or speech and language therapists, and parents are involved in referral decisions.

Support needs close discussion. In May 2024, some pupils across the school received curriculum support that did not fully meet their SEND needs, and some individual plans needed more precise strategies. This was a school-wide concern, rather than a finding specifically about Nursery. Families should discuss the adjustments their child needs and how progress will be reviewed.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application directly to the London Borough of Waltham Forest, by the January before the place is needed. Treat this as a separate step in planning your child’s education, even when you intend to remain at Mayville.

Morning and afternoon nursery groups are identified as Nursery AM and Nursery PM. To join the waiting list, bring your child’s birth certificate to the school office and complete the nursery application form.

For enquiries, contact the office on 020 8539 5907 or email school@mayville.waltham.sch.uk. Absence must be reported before 9am on the first day, using the absence form or by telephone. Medical appointments involving late drop-off or early collection use the same form, with appointment evidence shown to the office. This gives families a clear route for communicating changes to attendance.