The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at E P Collier Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Language learning gives this morning nursery its clearest character. At E P Collier Primary School on Ross Road in Reading, the nursery class has 26 places and runs five mornings each week in term time. Children normally start in the term after turning three. The pattern gives families a regular morning commitment, with afternoons to arrange separately.
Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at its inspection on 7 and 8 February 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The nursery-specific finding was staff expertise in developing children's communication and language, a useful foundation for learning to read.
Short phonics sessions form part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) day. Read Write Inc. is the named programme, and children work in groups based on the sounds they know. In parent language, phonics connects letters with sounds and helps children combine those sounds into words. Grouping by existing knowledge means the teaching starts from what a child can already recognise.
Practical making sits alongside this early literacy work. The EYFS design and technology overview includes construction, joining materials with tape or glue, weaving, and stirring and mixing food. These are concrete opportunities to handle materials and practise making things, rather than learning only through words.
Computing also begins in Nursery. The computing curriculum includes learning to use technology responsibly and telling an adult when something feels worrying or unsafe. This puts asking for help alongside exploring technology.
A Foundation Stage co-ordinator and Foundation Stage teachers appear in the staff structure, while an Inclusion Manager sits within senior leadership. Families can contact the Inclusion Manager through the school office, giving them a direct route for discussing their child's support needs.
The school's Living Values and behaviour curriculum sets out a therapeutic approach: adults model expectations and reinforce helpful behaviour. Its inclusion principles include listening to children and working with people they trust. For parents, that makes the child's views and familiar relationships part of the intended support approach.
Early Years kit guidance asks for a named water bottle, weather-appropriate outerwear and a drawstring bag kept on the child's peg, with spare clothes if needed. Children do not need to bring snacks. Naming belongings helps keep these everyday items identifiable.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception admissions process. Reading Borough Council handles Reception admissions for E P Collier, whereas the school allocates nursery places. Treat these as two separate decisions, and follow the council's application timetable.
Morning sessions operate during term time, five days a week. Contact the School Office for current nursery availability and an application form: 0118 937 5470 or admin@epcollier.reading.sch.uk. Applications outside the usual termly starting points can be considered when a place is available.
Travel. There is no parking on the school site. Surrounding roads have parking spaces with a two-hour limit, so families driving should allow time to park considerately and complete the journey to school.
Children usually begin in the term after their third birthday, with September, January and April entry points. The school can consider other starting dates if places are available.
The 26-place class runs morning sessions five days each week during term time. Contact the School Office to discuss availability and obtain an application form.
The EYFS day includes brief, guided phonics work using Read Write Inc. Groups reflect the sounds children already know, helping them practise connecting letters and sounds and combining sounds into words.
Contact the Inclusion Manager through the school office on 0118 937 5470 or email admin@epcollier.reading.sch.uk to discuss your child's needs.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through Reading Borough Council's normal admissions process and follow its application timetable. The school handles nursery places separately.
