St Mary's RC Primary School Nursery Review

Playdough cakes, bread baking and stories give St Mary’s nursery its practical character. For three- and four-year-olds, learning combines children’s own interests with activities guided by adults, within a Catholic school where faith also shapes the curriculum.

One nursery class forms part of the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 24 and 25 May 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Children learn across the classroom and outdoor learning space, with everyday routines also used to develop conversation and independence. Making models, sharing books and working out how to play together sit alongside adult-guided activities. The balance matters: children have room to pursue an interest while adults introduce ideas and help extend their language.

The EYFS brings together physical development, communication and social development with early maths, literacy, creativity and exploration of the world. Here, stories lead into practical projects: children might make dragon eggs, bake bread or grow cress. Counting and measuring resources support practical maths, both independently and with a teacher; direct maths teaching usually happens daily in small groups or with the class.

Local experiences extend learning beyond the classroom. Early years visits include Battersea Park, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and Battersea Park Library. Come and See provides the religious education programme, using creative activities, stories and songs to explore faith.

Language receives deliberate attention. In May 2023, early years children explored what story characters might feel and why they acted as they did, while staff had training to develop communication. Growing strawberries and exploring butterfly and plant life cycles made learning about nature concrete. These are experiences children can discuss, observe and revisit.

Settling starts gradually. Stay-and-play opportunities let children explore with a parent before the regular routine begins. Children allocated either a full-time or part-time place complete an induction before moving to complete sessions. This can be extended according to the child’s needs, and a parent may need to remain on site while their child settles. Families should allow flexibility at the beginning.

Listening and turn-taking are taught, rather than simply expected. Nursery staff supported these social skills in May 2023. Planning also takes account of each child’s developmental stage, so children with different starting points can participate. The school’s SEND page links families to Wandsworth’s local offer and its own SEND information report.

Parents have daily opportunities for informal conversations, alongside two formal meetings each year and an end-of-year written account of their child’s development. Family learning workshops bring parents into classroom activities, giving them practical ways to support learning at home.

Meals. Nursery children must have school dinners rather than packed lunches. Harrison Catering Services supplies the meals, with payment made ahead of each half term. Free meal eligibility needs council approval, so families should check the applicable arrangements and current charges with the school office.

A separate application. Attending St Mary’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must submit a new application for the following academic year; settling into nursery should not be treated as securing the next school place.

For September 2027 entry, the Reception admissions page directs families to return application forms to both Wandsworth Council and St Mary’s School. The deadline is 15 January 2027, including any Certificate of Catholic Practice forms. Keep that process separate from the nursery application.

The funded entitlement is organised as three-hour morning or afternoon sessions. Eligibility for the standard 15 hours begins in the term after a child turns three; some working families can qualify for a further 15 funded hours. These additional hours depend on eligibility, rather than following automatically from a nursery place.

Nursery applications have a deadline of 12 February 2027. Enquiries go through the admissions team on 07399391667. Refer to the school for current nursery charges.

Early years children wear a distinct uniform and do not need a PE kit. Send a book bag daily and a carrier bag containing spare clothes for nursery. Label clothing clearly: the spare set gives staff something familiar to use when a change is needed.