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Nursery at Plympton St Mary's CofE Infant 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Storytelling gives the early years provision its character: children practise retelling tales and choosing descriptive words, with adults helping them expand their vocabulary. St Mary's Nursery takes three and four-year-olds, with a published maximum of 16 children attending at once. It belongs to Plympton St Mary's CofE Infant School on Market Road in Plymouth.
At the November 2023 Ofsted inspection, early years provision was judged Outstanding within the school inspection. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Children's interests and previous experiences help shape the learning. The early years curriculum builds on what children have encountered at home and in earlier settings, using practical activities that children help direct. For parents, this means their child's existing knowledge is a starting point for new experiences.
Language has a clear purpose here. In November 2023, adults helped children develop their vocabulary through spoken examples, while story retelling gave children opportunities to use descriptive language themselves. Children could explain their learning confidently and followed the early years routines well. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach connects learning with children's needs and interests, rather than treating them as identical starting points.
The school site includes an outdoor play space accessible to children. Inside, children's toilets have lever taps and hand dryers positioned at child height, practical features that support independence. For children staying all day, the lunch hour remains part of their learning time, rather than a separate break in provision.
Settling starts before the first term. Once a place is confirmed, the EYFS lead contacts families during the preceding term to arrange a settling session. Children meet their key person and nursery team; parents can discuss their child's needs. This gives both sides an opportunity to share information before regular attendance begins.
For additional needs, the school's support includes picture prompts, now/next boards and personalised timetables. MyPlans record individual targets, while One Page Profiles explain children's strengths and how adults can support them. Parents can raise concerns with the teacher and, if needed, the SEND coordinator. These are concrete ways to make daily expectations easier to understand.
Caterlink provides school meals, which are prepared on site. Nursery children whose families meet free school meal eligibility criteria receive a free lunch when they attend across the lunch period, generally through an all-day session. Other children can bring a packed lunch or have a paid school meal.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must submit a separate application to their home local authority; Plymouth residents apply through Plymouth. For September 2027 entry, the application window runs from 16 November 2026 to 15 January 2027.
There is conditional nursery priority for the 2027-28 normal Reception intake. Children must attend St Mary's Nursery when they apply and take at least half of their free Early Years Entitlement there. This is the fifth oversubscription category, after the looked-after, exceptional-need and two sibling categories. Paid sessions bring no extra priority.
Summer-term transition meetings and activities help prepare children for their next step. Additional visits can also be arranged for anxious children. Preparation and admission remain separate questions.
Term-time choices are mornings, 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoons, 12.30pm to 3.30pm; and full days, 8.30am to 3.30pm. The all-day pattern includes lunch from 11.30am to 12.30pm. When that hour forms part of a funded session, it carries no separate charge.
The core offer accommodates the universal 570-hour entitlement and the extended 1140-hour entitlement for eligible working families. Additional hours can be purchased. Ask the school for current charges. Before-school care runs from 7.30am to 8.30am, with after-school options ending at 4.30pm or 6pm; these sessions involve different adults and older children.
Session flexibility. Requested hours cannot always be accommodated, and attendance changes generally begin at a term boundary. Choose a pattern that works for regular drop-off and collection.
Uniform is optional, with nursery jumpers available to buy. Contact the school on 01752 337912 or psm.admin@stcmat.org to arrange a visit. Nursery applications require both the Nursery Application Form and Parent Declaration Form.
Three and four-year-olds can join from the funding period after their third birthday. Children generally start at the beginning of a term.
Yes. The term-time all-day session runs from 8.30am to 3.30pm and includes the lunchtime period.
The EYFS lead contacts families in the term before entry to arrange a settling session, where children meet their key person and the nursery team.
No. A separate application is required. For the 2027-28 normal intake, attendance can confer fifth-category priority if the child attends when applying and takes at least half of their free Early Years Entitlement at the nursery. Paid sessions add no priority.
No. Uniform is optional, and nursery jumpers can be purchased.
