St Teresa's Catholic Primary School Nursery, Morden

In July 2022, Ofsted described early-years children at St Teresa's growing potatoes and studying minibeasts, building foundations for later learning about living things. The nursery now accepts children from age two, while families can also apply for a place for a three-year-old. It sits within St Teresa's Catholic Primary School on Montacute Road, Morden.

The Catholic setting extends beyond the classroom. A shared site accommodates both the church and school, connecting school life with the parish. For families choosing this nursery, that religious context is part of the setting as well as its name.

Growing potatoes makes learning tangible. In July 2022, Ofsted described early-years learning about farm animals and minibeasts alongside that growing activity. Children were building knowledge about plants and animals through specific examples, giving later learning something familiar to build on. This finding concerns the school's early years, rather than a separate nursery inspection.

St Teresa's also uses NED across the school: children are encouraged to persevere, help others and put effort into their learning. That gives parents a simple set of ideas to reinforce at home, alongside conversations about what their child has been exploring.

A morning nursery session runs from 8.30am until 11.30am. An all-day option is also listed, giving families a choice between a shorter session and a longer nursery day.

Support for additional needs follows a school-wide process. Children with an identified area of need receive an SEN Support Plan (SSP), with reviews during the year involving parents, children and school staff. Parents are also informed when a planned intervention involves their child working with a member of the teaching team. This makes family involvement part of the support process, rather than leaving parents outside it.

Food is included with breakfast care and with the longer afternoon wraparound sessions. The shorter afternoon option excludes food, so the session chosen affects more than collection time. Nursery children were excluded from the London free school meal scheme described for the 2025–26 academic year; that past scheme should not be treated as a nursery meal entitlement.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, by the deadline for their child's entry year.

The school's admissions page treats nursery and Reception applications separately. Its September 2026 Reception deadline was 15 January 2026 and has passed. That date belongs to that entry cycle, rather than providing a deadline for younger nursery children. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception are distinct decisions.

Early Years has its own wraparound club, separate from the club for older children. Bookings are made through Arbor and depend on available places and sufficient account credit. Breakfast care begins at 7.30am; the longer after-school session runs from 3.20pm to 5.45pm. Refer to the school for current charges.

Prospective parents can arrange a nursery viewing through the school office. Nursery applications use an online form, and enquiries can go to admissions@st-teresas.merton.sch.uk. A viewing gives families a practical next step before submitting an application.