Our Lady Queen of Heaven RC School Nursery Review

Play, early language and Catholic faith shape the nursery at Our Lady Queen of Heaven RC School in Southfields. This is the school's own provision, within a primary school whose age range begins at three. Its early years provision received an Outstanding judgement at Ofsted's inspection on 22 and 23 November 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Children's interests help shape learning. The nursery's 2021 curriculum plan combines activities chosen by children with adult-supported group work, indoors and outside. Topics can change as children's interests develop, giving their questions a part in deciding what happens next.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together movement, conversation and learning to manage feelings and relationships, alongside early maths, literacy, creative work and exploring the world. In practical terms, the nursery plan describes counting jumps or claps, building with blocks, drawing and joining in with stories. These activities connect early skills to things children can do and explore.

Role play gives that learning a recognisable setting. The 2021 plan includes a home corner and hospital play, with gardening and growing among its summer themes. Children can develop stories together and use conversation to extend their play. These are examples from the dated plan, rather than a timetable for the current term.

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised is the named phonics programme, with teaching beginning in Nursery/Reception. Speaking and listening also receive explicit attention as foundations for reading and writing. Catholic learning appears in the nursery plan through RE themes including God's World and New Life, bringing faith into the early curriculum.

A nursery nurse forms part of the nursery team. Before starting, nursery children have a taster session; extra visits are encouraged for children who may struggle with the change from home to school. This gives families a practical way to introduce unfamiliar routines gradually.

Support for emerging needs has a nursery-specific route. The school's 2023 to 2024 SEN Information Report describes advice from speech and language therapists and an occupational therapist through the Nurture and Inclusion Project for All (NIPA). Specialist provision depends on children's needs, funding and service availability, so this is a support pathway rather than an entitlement to every intervention.

Within early years, teachers formally check progress three times a year. Parents contribute to decisions about SEND support, and individual support records are reviewed with them each term. For medical needs, care plans are prepared with families; administering medicine requires a signed agreement. These arrangements connect classroom support with information from home.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. The nursery admission policy explicitly requires a separate application, so families must apply again through the normal Reception process by the normal deadline.

For the 2026/27 cycle, the Reception paperwork required a Common Application Form from the family's home local authority, and the admission policy referred to the national primary closing date. Treat the nursery application and the Reception application as separate tasks.

Transition support is a different matter. The school's SEND report describes extra visits to the next class at year end, with picture-based Transition Passports for children with autism or social, emotional and mental health needs. Familiarity supports preparation; it does not secure admission.

The nursery is on Victoria Drive, London, SW19 6AD. Enquiries go through the school office on 0208 788 7420 or info@olqh.net, and the office can also connect families with the SENCo for questions about additional needs.