Yardley Primary School Nursery Review

Paper animals, construction play and outdoor activities give Yardley Nursery a practical, playful character. This is Yardley Primary School’s provision for children aged 3–4 in Chingford, with an Early Years team supporting their learning and development.

Ofsted rated the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 17 and 18 October 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play connects the learning here. Nursery teaching follows the Foundation Stage curriculum and crosses subject boundaries, so children can develop several skills through one activity. The curriculum spans seven developmental areas; in practical parent terms, the activities bring together movement, making, communication and exploration rather than treating each as an isolated lesson.

For three- and four-year-olds, making includes paper folding, weaving and sewing. Construction materials and junk modelling give children opportunities to choose resources and develop their ideas. Scissor work practises hand control, while larger movements support painting and mark-making. These are concrete ways to build independence: children select something they want to make, then work out which materials will help. A child choosing a spade to enlarge a hole first dug with a trowel is practising that decision-making. The task links a chosen goal to a tool, giving independence a specific, practical form.

Investigation has a place too. Mechanical play uses wind-up toys, cogs and pulleys to explore how things work, while cooking, freezing and melting introduce changes in materials. Outdoor activities are also part of the nursery’s play-based approach. In October 2023, children’s learning included returning to important knowledge, and strong learning habits were already developing in Nursery. Repetition gives those practical experiences a learning purpose.

Early identification is a concrete part of support. Children are assessed when they join Nursery, with progress summarised each term. During autumn, a Speech and Language Therapist screens nursery children to identify those who may benefit from additional help or referral. This gives communication needs attention early in their school experience.

Parents with concerns start with the class teacher, with the SENCo involved where needed. Support follows an assess, plan, do, review cycle, and parents contribute to discussions about strengths, difficulties and next steps. In October 2023, adults supported nursery children with SEND in playing and working alongside others, keeping participation in shared learning central.

Personal care assistance is provided for children who need it. Across the school, Juniper supplies meals, with menus changing twice a year and all meat certified Halal by the HFA. This is the school’s catering arrangement, rather than a description of a nursery lunch routine.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Yardley’s Reception. Families must make a separate Reception application through Waltham Forest’s normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their application year. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.

Classroom preparation is a different matter. When children move to another year group or key stage, the school arranges summer-term time with their next teacher in their new class. Some children also receive transition books containing photographs and information to take home. These help make the next classroom familiar; they do not secure admission.

Morning sessions run from 8:30 to 11:30, with afternoons from 12:30 to 15:30. The 15 hours can be taken as five mornings or five afternoons. Eligible parents can access 30 hours of childcare across Monday to Friday, and funded places are subject to eligibility.

Nursery applications are handled by the school. Send the completed application form to ypsnursery@raymat.net, or call 0208 529 3671 to speak with the nursery teacher or Head of Early Years. The school is on Hawkwood Crescent, Chingford. Its grounds remain open after the school day for children to play under parental supervision, a useful shared physical space beyond the classroom.