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Nursery at Chapel Street Nursery 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
The Meadow gives Chapel Street its distinctive shape: a separate room for specialist SEND support, with children returning to their usual classrooms for the remainder of their session. Support and classroom life sit alongside each other. The nursery receives funding for 24 places for children with severe and complex needs; that is specialist provision, rather than the nursery's total capacity.
For children aged two to four, this nursery school on Russell Street in Luton offers term-time education. Its classes include Honeybees, Ladybirds, Butterflies and Caterpillars. A staff body of 29 covers teaching, catering, premises, office work and management.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the framework here: learning, development and care are considered together. Alongside it, Chapel Street uses a curriculum led by nurture, giving relationships and emotional wellbeing a place in learning. For parents, this means the curriculum concerns how children feel and participate as well as what they learn.
In May 2023, sessions included songs that brought children together, small-group learning and opportunities for children to choose activities around their interests. Stories, rhymes and non-fiction books supported vocabulary. Children needing additional language help had extra sessions practising words and short sentences, giving them more focused opportunities to communicate.
Practical exploration had substance. During that same period, children examined small creatures with magnifying glasses outdoors, investigated plants and tried woodwork. Watching caterpillars become butterflies and encounters with farm animals added experiences to talk about. Adults encouraged children to attempt unfamiliar activities and make increasingly independent choices.
Curriculum sequencing. At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified uneven planning in a few subjects: activities did not reliably address the next learning step, leaving some children with misunderstandings or gaps. Families should weigh that concern alongside the specific language support and practical experiences.
A key worker provides a consistent relationship. Before starting, families complete an All About Me form through the home-visit process; it covers interests, worries, home language, sleep patterns and toileting. Talk Time activities provide information about nursery experiences, making communication a two-way exchange.
For children with SEND, the March 2023 information report describes two settling sessions before the formal start, preceded by a home or nursery visit. Individual Education Plans are reviewed with parents every six to eight weeks. Attention Autism supports shared attention, while PECS and communication boards give children alternatives to spoken language. These are concrete ways to make participation possible.
Care includes regular nappy checks and changes for children still using them. Parents supply nappies, and food carries a charge. Breakfast club includes breakfast; an optional cooked lunch is listed for children using a 30-hour code. The March 2023 SEND arrangements require an individual plan before a child accesses lunch or extended care, with capacity for high-level lunchtime support limited to six children across the setting and no more than three in one room.
In May 2023, safeguarding was effective. Children could express worries using pictures, gestures or speech, allowing adults to respond even when spoken communication was difficult.
Chapel Street children move on to primary schools across Luton and the surrounding area. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the normal deadline.
Transition support is distinct from admission. For children with additional needs, the March 2023 arrangements describe a meeting after the destination school is confirmed, an individual transition plan and further visits where appropriate. Staff may assemble a photo book and borrow uniform for practice, helping make the new school familiar.
Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, with afternoons from 1pm to 4pm. A full-time pattern covers 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. For children with a 30-hour code, the funded day runs from 9am to 3pm, with a charged extension to 4pm.
From the term following the third birthday, the 15-hour arrangement covers five morning or afternoon sessions. Additional sessions are charged. Eligible children aged two, three and four can access 30-hour places, with funding starting from the term after their second or third birthday. Places are allocated in application order and limited by lunchtime capacity; eligibility must be reconfirmed every three months. Check eligibility through Childcare Choices and give the resulting reference to the office for verification through Luton Borough Council.
Contact the nursery on 01582 413552 or admin@chapelstreet.nurseryluton.com for enquiries and current charges. The term-time pattern means families need to plan separately for school holidays.
The current age range is two to four, and children can start from age two.
Morning sessions are 9am to noon and afternoons are 1pm to 4pm. Full-time attendance is listed as 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Children with a 30-hour code attend from 9am to 3pm, with a charged extension available to 4pm.
The Meadow provides specialist sessions, with children returning to their base classrooms afterwards. The nursery receives funding for 24 places for children with severe and complex needs.
Food is charged, and parents provide nappies. The fees arrangements list an optional cooked lunch for children using a 30-hour code.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process. Transition support helps children prepare for their destination school and does not secure admission.
