Selwyn Primary School Nursery Review

At the inspection on 10 and 11 May 2022, Selwyn's youngest children were learning to manage zips and prepare fruit. Everyday tasks helped build independence. The nursery at Selwyn Primary School in Highams Park includes provision for two-year-olds alongside places for children aged three and four, bringing practical learning into the start of school life.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 10 and 11 May 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Choice and adult guidance work together. In May 2022, early years children selected resources sensibly, while the two-year-olds were engaged in their activities. A room for two-year-olds gives the youngest group its own identifiable space. Adults taught children how to use equipment carefully from that starting point, making handling materials part of the learning itself.

Language ran through the early years day in May 2022, with adults continually demonstrating speech for children. Practical tasks gave that teaching a purpose: children learnt safe techniques for scissors and knives, practised preparing fruit and worked on managing coats and zips. These are useful skills beyond the classroom. Repeated practice helped children become more independent.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) learning described here combines communication, using resources and managing everyday tasks. In May 2022, learning from Nursery onwards followed a deliberately ordered curriculum, so new knowledge built on earlier learning. For parents, the distinctive detail is the connection between planned teaching and ordinary things a young child wants to do for themselves.

An Early Years Lead and a classroom leader for two-year-olds form part of the nursery team, alongside early years practitioners. This gives the provision both phase leadership and a role focused on its youngest children.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school says it includes children in school activities and seeks outside support or facilities where needed. Its SEND provision recognises difficulties with communication, friendships, routines and sensory needs, as well as learning. These are relevant starting points for discussing a child's individual needs.

Parent contact includes appointments with senior leaders by telephone, email or post. A nursery parent coffee morning was scheduled for 6 February 2026, providing a nursery-specific opportunity for families to meet. Nursery lunch is timetabled between 11:30am and 1:00pm.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Waltham Forest using eAdmissions; choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the nursery experience itself.

For the September 2026 Reception intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026, including for families seeking a delayed or deferred start. That deadline belongs to a past application cycle. Keep the Reception application separate from arranging a nursery place.

Three session choices give families a clear starting point: mornings run from 8:55am to 11:55am, afternoons from 12:25pm to 3:25pm, and full days from 8:55am to 3:25pm. The nursery offers 15 funded hours a week across 38 weeks, during term time. Holiday childcare therefore needs separate planning.

Children aged three and four can receive 15 hours of free early education, with 30 hours for those meeting the eligibility criteria. Both funded and paid places are offered for two-year-olds. Contact the school for current charges.

Collect a nursery application pack from the school office. Enquiries can go to primary@selwyn.waltham.sch.uk or 0208 527 3814. School visits can be arranged by contacting the office for an appointment, giving families an opportunity to consider the setting before applying.