St David's School Nursery Review

Action songs, percussion and a seaside assembly give this nursery a place in the musical life of St David's School. Children learn familiar rhymes and explore instruments, with opportunities to perform as well as listen. It is a school nursery with its own class leader, within an independent primary school in Purley.

Up to 22 nursery places are offered. Most children start in September before their fourth birthday, although entry is possible during the term in which they turn three. An earlier start keeps children with their age cohort rather than bringing forward their move to Reception.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) includes learning about the world through observation and exploration. Here, that means investigating the environment, technology, places and people, helping children connect learning with their surroundings. These are concrete starting points for conversation and discovery.

Music brings movement and sound into that learning. Nursery children practise action songs and traditional rhymes, listen to music and try percussion instruments. The combination gives them different ways to participate: singing, moving, listening and playing. Classrooms across the school have interactive whiteboards, providing a physical resource for shared learning.

Past nursery events show how children have taken part in school life. In June 2023, a seaside assembly involved songs and spoken lines, performed for parents and the school. The nursery sports day in May 2023 included obstacle courses, throwing activities and running in small teams. These examples combine performance with physical participation; they are dated examples rather than a daily timetable.

A Nursery Class Leader sits within a team structure that includes a Head of Early Years and an Early Years Practitioner whose responsibilities include lunchtime supervision. The practitioner holds an NVQ Level 3 qualification in childcare. For families, those roles connect classroom provision with care during the school day.

Class teachers provide everyday pastoral support, and communication with parents forms part of the school's approach. A Wellbeing Team provides additional support and shares safeguarding and SEND information appropriately. This gives families both a classroom contact and a wider support structure.

Food is part of the school provision: a chef prepares cooked meals, and the daily salad bar includes vegetables, pasta and couscous. Term menus help families see the food offered before planning around school meals.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Confirm Reception admission requirements directly with the school before making plans for the next stage.

The school's admission arrangements describe children moving with their age cohort in the September before their fifth birthday. Starting nursery during the term of a third birthday does not accelerate that move. Early Years entry involves a School Registration Form and has no formal entrance test.

School fees are billed in advance each term, while Breakfast Club, After School Provision and other extras are charged a term in arrears. Breakfast Club starts at 7.30am, and school After School Provision runs until 6.30pm; published wraparound charges depend on booking Breakfast Club one half term ahead and After School Provision one whole term ahead. Refer to the school for current charges and its nursery funding breakdown.

Nursery uniform has separate boys' and girls' lists. Cladishes in Wallington supplies uniform, and the PTA handles requests for second-hand items. Personal tours can be booked during term, and the office can be contacted on 020 8660 0723 or office@stdavidsschool.co.uk.