Purley Nursery School: stories, making and woodland learning

Children’s own stories and woodland exploration give Purley Nursery School its character. Weekly Helicopter Stories sessions let children invent narratives, while The Spinney provides space for outdoor learning linked to Forest School. These are practical ways to turn children’s ideas and curiosity into learning.

Purley is a maintained nursery school in its own right, partnered with Christ Church School through the Purley Partnership Federation. The schools retain separate identities and inspections. Nursery provision serves two-, three- and four-year-olds; the federation page gives a provision figure of 160 places, including integrated education and care. This is a places figure, rather than a count of children attending.

Play leads the curriculum, with adults extending children’s interests. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers early learning and development: here, that means practising communication, movement, relationships and thinking through activities children can take part in. In November 2023, Ofsted found that purposeful learning and established routines supported children’s independence and cooperative play.

Helicopter Stories gives language a concrete purpose. Children dictate, retell and perform their own stories, with opportunities to try writing them too. A stage in the learning classroom supports this work. Elsewhere, the Creative Workshop lets children choose materials and pursue an idea through drawing, collage or model making. Mathematical thinking enters everyday activities through weighing ingredients, construction and number rhymes.

Outdoor learning extends beyond the nursery garden to The Spinney, the woodland at Christ Church School. Den making, natural-material construction and supervised fire-pit experiences connect play with the natural world. Within the nursery’s activities, children grow vegetables, investigate pond life and use a woodwork bench. Bikes, scooters and balancing equipment support physical development; clay, puzzles and cutting activities exercise smaller hand movements. There is plenty for a child to do with both hands and imagination.

Settling happens at the child’s pace. Before starting, families are invited to a meeting and encouraged to bring their child to play. Parents can remain while their child builds confidence in unfamiliar surroundings. A keyworker explains routines, acts as the first contact and offers regular discussions about development, giving families a clear person to approach.

Seesaw provides another link between home and nursery: parents can share photographs, videos and achievements with the keyworker and team. Staffing includes early years educators, with qualifications listed including the Cache Diploma in Childcare and Education at Level 3. For additional needs, planned professional input includes a Speech and Language Therapist, Educational Psychologist and the LA Inclusion Team’s Nursery Support Teacher. The November 2023 findings describe prompt identification of SEND, adapted activities and effective safeguarding.

Lunch can bridge the morning and afternoon sessions through a charged lunch period with a packed lunch. Cooking also forms part of learning, linking changes in ingredients with hygiene and healthy eating. Families should check current charges with the school.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate primary-school application through the normal admissions process, meeting the deadline for their child’s entry year. Purley directs parents to Croydon’s admissions guidance and an eAdmissions account, with help from the school office for completing the application.

The federation partnership should be understood separately from that application. Children’s nursery learning builds independence and communication for their next stage; it does not itself secure admission to Christ Church School or another primary school.

Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoons run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, subject to places. The school encourages attendance across the week for continuity. It offers 15-hour nursery education places and 30-hour provision for eligible families, alongside additional paid sessions. The 30-hour start time changed in June 2025, so families using that pattern should confirm their timetable before arranging care.

Breakfast Club starts at 7.45am on the nursery site. After School Club finishes at 6pm, Monday to Friday. Both use an application contract and waiting list, and can be oversubscribed. Holiday Playscheme ceased in October 2024, so families need a separate holiday-care plan. ParentPay handles payments for lunch, extra sessions and wraparound care.

Apply using the nursery form, returned to the office or emailed to office@purley.croydon.sch.uk. Uniform is optional; manageable clothes support independent toileting and messy play. Access is through the Christchurch Road gate, and parents cannot use the school car park. Tell staff beforehand if someone unfamiliar will collect your child; collection by anyone under 16 is prohibited.