The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at The Winns 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Books, rhymes and outdoor messy play give the nursery at The Winns its character. This is provision for three- and four-year-olds within the primary school in Walthamstow, with either a morning or afternoon pattern, or longer days for families eligible for 30 funded hours. Children can start from the term following their third birthday, with September the usual intake.
Play and short teaching sessions share the day. Children choose activities, join an adult for small-group work, and gather for stories and music. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, manage feelings and move confidently with early reading, mathematics, creativity and discovering how the world works. For parents, that means learning happens through conversation and exploration as well as direct teaching.
White Rose shapes the mathematics approach. Early years children explore quantities, patterns, measuring and shapes, with focused maths each day and mathematical activities across the provision. Those ideas can be revisited during play rather than confined to a single teaching session. Ofsted’s January 2023 inspection identified skilled early years staff choosing activities that develop mathematical thinking and curiosity, alongside nursery reading beginning through shared stories and rhymes.
Outdoor time includes imaginative and messy play, opportunities to develop larger movements, and playing with other children. Indoors, stories and music bring children together for brief shared sessions. The rhythm gives children opportunities both to make their own choices and to practise listening within a group.
Starting nursery happens in stages: small groups settle before further children join. Funding begins on each child’s actual start date. This makes the agreed starting arrangements important when planning childcare around the first weeks.
Fruit and milk are provided as snacks without charge. Morning-only and afternoon-only children do not stay for lunch; those attending longer days can bring a packed lunch or have a charged school meal. Nursery wraparound requires a snack from home, with chocolate and nut products excluded.
The support structure includes a SENDCo and an Inclusion Manager who also works as an Early Years Home School Link Worker. The SEND team contacts previous settings and uses observations in nursery and at home before children join to identify needs early. Parents contribute to decisions about support and receive records of agreed actions. In January 2023, Ofsted identified early years support helping children who do not communicate verbally to sustain attention and develop understanding.
Physical access is also relevant: the main school building is on one level, and sensory and well-being spaces support children who need them.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Waltham Forest’s normal admissions process. For September 2027 entry, the online application deadline is 15 January 2027. Treat that application as a separate task, even when your child already attends nursery.
For children with SEND, transition support can include extra visits, booklets containing photographs, meetings between staff and gradual introductions where needed. These help prepare a child for the change; they do not secure admission.
The 15-hour pattern runs Monday to Friday, either 8:45am to 11:45am or 12:30pm to 3:30pm. With a valid 30-hour code, the pattern is 8:45am to 3:30pm Monday to Thursday and 8:45am to 11:45am Friday. An additional Friday afternoon can be requested and is charged separately. The 2026/27 nursery policy requires attendance on at least four days for either entitlement.
Changes to booked days. Four weeks’ notice is required, and an alteration may not be granted. Families needing occasional Friday sessions must email the office by noon on Wednesday and receive written confirmation. Agreed additional sessions remain chargeable during sickness or holidays; ask the school for current charges.
Breakfast Club and nursery after-school wraparound extend the childcare options. Nursery afternoon wraparound operates Monday to Thursday in the Nursery and Yellow Hall. Places are limited, and new applicants for the September 2026 nursery wraparound intake join a waiting list. Collection from extended care is by an authorised adult at the smaller gate further along Elphinstone Road.
Nursery visits can be booked through Eventbrite The Winns Nursery, and enquiries go to office@winns.waltham.sch.uk. School Streets restrictions affect Fleeming Road and Elphinstone Road on weekday term-time mornings and afternoons, so factor them into travel plans.
Children can start in the term after their third birthday. September is the usual intake; January or April entry depends on a vacancy.
The 15-hour pattern is five mornings or five afternoons. Eligible families with a 30-hour code have longer days Monday to Thursday and a Friday morning.
No. A separate Reception application is required through Waltham Forest. The deadline for September 2027 entry is 15 January 2027.
Children attending longer days can bring a packed lunch or have a charged school meal. Morning-only and afternoon-only sessions do not include lunch.
Yes. Breakfast Club and Monday-to-Thursday nursery afternoon wraparound are offered, subject to places. New applicants for the September 2026 nursery wraparound intake are placed on a waiting list.
