St Michael's CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Blue, Orange and Yellow classes give Mini St. Mikes its practical character: a full week or one of two fixed part-week patterns. This is St Michael's CofE Primary School's nursery for children aged three to four, within its Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The school gives a maximum nursery group size of 26. Its Church of England identity also shapes the early years, where learning and care sit within a Christian ethos.

The June 2022 Ofsted inspection graded early years provision Requires improvement, identifying lower expectations for children's learning and insufficient attention to adults' subject expertise. This is an early years judgement, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Play and investigation shape the curriculum. The EYFS approach brings together early number work and literacy, understanding the surrounding world, physical development, communication and emotional and social learning. Enquiry-based learning gives children questions to explore, rather than simply information to absorb. Activities take place outside as well as indoors, allowing exploration in both environments.

Mark-making and exploring patterns are specific nursery activities, alongside practice that develops control of small hand movements. These give children ways to experiment with the movements used in writing. Choosing resources, clearing away after snacks and managing personal care also form part of early years routines. Independence gets practical rehearsal.

Shared school facilities include the Multi-Sensory Room, which is available to all children. Bubble lamps and movable water floor tiles provide different sensory experiences, with stimulation adjustable to a child's needs. The Sensory Garden adds wind chimes, a xylophone and a floor with different textures. These are school resources, rather than a description of a nursery-only playground.

Settling starts before the first session. A June induction meeting introduces families to the Nursery Team and includes a nursery tour. September brings individual staff meetings, opportunities to stay and play, and a staggered beginning. Nursery enrolment also includes a home visit. Together, these give parents several chances to share information about their child before regular attendance begins.

Lunch can be a meal served in the main hall or food brought from home. Families choose through enrolment and must notify the office in writing before a new term if they want to switch arrangements. Milk is free for under-fives, but registration is required.

For everyday learning or pastoral concerns, the class teacher is the first contact. The school's Inclusion Team works with families to agree and review support targets, and can be reached at inclusion@stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk. Within early years, staff adapt learning with family input and, when appropriate, advice from outside professionals.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate online application through the local authority; for September 2027 entry, the deadline is 15 January 2027. Any supplementary Church form must reach the school by that date too.

After an offer has been accepted, transition includes a June parent meeting and an introduction to the Early Years Team. Individual meetings follow in September, with small-group starts and lunchtime tasters. Familiarisation supports the move, but does not replace the application.

Early years teaching. In June 2022, the report identified weaknesses chiefly in Reception, including curriculum delivery, dialogue for children needing language support and help for those struggling with phonics, and called for staff training. These concerns matter when considering the next stage after nursery.

Blue Class attends Monday to Friday. Orange combines Monday and Tuesday with Wednesday morning; Yellow combines Wednesday afternoon with Thursday and Friday. Morning drop-off is between 08:45 and 08:50, and full days end at 15:00. These are fixed attendance patterns, so the choice affects which days a family needs other care.

The funding offer includes 15 hours from the term after a child's third birthday, with places subject to availability. Eligible working families with three- or four-year-olds may qualify for 30 hours. Funded hours exclude lunch; a full-time Blue placement requires top-up charges if the family is ineligible for the 30-hour code. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery enquiries go to info@stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk. Tours for the September 2027 intake begin in November 2026 and can be booked through the office by telephone or email. Mini St. Mikes uniform includes gold polo shirts, with a logo optional.