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Nursery at Riverley 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
An airport inside the nursery and a journey across Waltham Forest by public transport give Riverley’s youngest children concrete experiences to talk about. Language is a defining strength: at the February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that nursery adults gave exceptionally effective support to children’s communication and language development.
Based at Riverley Primary School on Park Road in Leyton, the nursery admits children from the term after their third birthday. There are 15 morning places, 15 afternoon places and 15 full-time sessions. Families can choose between a shorter session and a day that includes lunch.
Talking, imaginative play and practical exploration bring the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning to life. During Bright Futures Week in June 2024, the nursery became an airport and aeroplane, complete with a trolley serving snacks to its passengers. Parents joined the event to see the children’s learning. The pretend journey gave familiar objects and roles a purpose within play.
A real journey followed in March 2025, when the nursery class travelled through Waltham Forest using buses and the tube. Children explored how transport connects places and asked questions about their trip. These are examples of learning extending beyond the classroom, rather than a promise of a regular excursion schedule.
Across early years, children studied butterfly development and released the butterflies in May 2024. Forest School also gives children practical problems to solve outdoors in a natural setting. Together, these experiences connect conversation with things children can observe and do.
In February 2023, early-years children participated in carefully planned activities, paid attention to adults and followed established routines. Phonics teaching across early years was effective. For nursery families, the more specific strength was the support for speaking and understanding language, an essential part of joining in with adults and other children.
Familiarisation starts with Stay and Play. Children aged at least two can attend with their parent, and families must take part in at least two sessions before a nursery place is offered. No booking is needed. This gives parent and child time together in the nursery before the child starts attending independently.
For full-time children, the one-hour lunch period carries a separate charge that includes a school meal. Ask the school office for current charges. Early-years children receive fruit or another healthy snack at break time, so food forms part of the session as well as the longer day.
EYFS practitioners identify possible additional needs and help families with referrals. With parental consent, support can involve Speech and Language Therapy, Educational Psychologists or the Early Help Service. The school uses The Graduated Approach: needs are assessed, support is planned and put into practice, then reviewed. Families have a role in that process.
The wider school building has a lift, broad corridors and accessible toilets. Quiet rooms can reduce background noise for children with hearing impairments. These are practical features for families considering physical access or sensory needs.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. For the 2027/28 intake, it gives no priority: applications are assessed on the same basis whether or not a child attends the nursery. Parents must apply separately through their home local authority’s Common Application Form and meet that authority’s deadline.
Transition support is a separate matter. Families are offered a Curriculum Information Evening in the School Hall, a chance to meet the teacher in the EYFS setting, and an event to meet other families, such as a park picnic. Where individual needs require it, additional classroom visits, teacher meetings or a photograph booklet can help children recognise people and places.
Morning sessions run from 8:50am to 11:50am; afternoons run from 12:25pm to 3:25pm. Full-time attendance runs from 8:50am to 3:25pm. Fixed attendance. Flexible hours or days are not offered, so families need a routine that fits one of these patterns.
Applications go directly to the Riverley office. A funded full-time application requires a 30-hour eligibility code at application; families without eligibility can discuss paying for a full-time place with the office. Tours can be booked by calling 020 8539 4535 or emailing office@riverley-gst.org, with no more than three families on each tour.
Nursery children use the nursery doors. Travel planning. Park Road is restricted to pedestrians and cycles between 8:15am and 9:15am, and between 3pm and 4pm. Those restrictions overlap the morning start and afternoon finish, so plan the journey accordingly.
Children are admitted from the term after they turn three. Applications are made directly to the school office.
Morning sessions are 8:50am to 11:50am, afternoon sessions are 12:25pm to 3:25pm, and full-time attendance is 8:50am to 3:25pm. Flexible hours or days are not offered.
Yes. Children must be at least two, and families must attend at least two sessions before a nursery place is offered. There is no need to book.
Families applying for a funded full-time place must provide a 30-hour eligibility code at application. Those without eligibility can discuss a paid place. The one-hour lunch period has a separate charge including a school meal; contact the office for current charges.
No. For the 2027/28 intake, nursery attendance neither guarantees a place nor gives priority. A separate application through the home local authority is required.
