St Matthew's CofE Primary School Nursery Review

At the June 2022 inspection, rhymes, songs and stories shaped early reading in St Matthew's nursery. Planting and exploring natural materials bring learning into children's hands. This is the nursery within the Church of England primary school on Linkfield Lane in Redhill, with morning, afternoon and full-time places.

Capacity is equivalent to eighty part-time places, split into 40 morning and 40 afternoon places. That distinction matters when comparing a shorter session with a full day. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 28 and 29 June 2022; this was an early years judgement within the school inspection.

A morning runs from 8:50am to 11:50am, an afternoon from 12:15pm to 3:15pm, and full-time attendance from 8:50am to 3:15pm. Families therefore have three distinct session options.

Early learning connects language, discovery and creativity. In June 2022, reading began in Nursery through songs, rhymes and story listening, with daily phonics introduced when children were ready. The emphasis starts with hearing sounds before linking them to letters and simple words.

Hands-on exploration includes natural materials and growing plants from seed. Children investigate how things work, consider forces they can feel and talk about changes in materials. Creative activities include making models, experimenting with colour, pretend play and playing instruments. These give children different ways to express an idea, through making, movement or sound.

Christian learning includes the Nativity, Easter and Bible stories. An autumn walk, a library visit and a dentist visit also feature in nursery learning plans, connecting classroom activities with people and places beyond them.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) draws on the school's SENCO and classroom team. Teaching can be adapted through individual work, extra processing time and visual timetables, so support can respond to a child's particular difficulty. Parents of children on the SEND register are invited to termly meetings to review provision, giving families a regular part in decisions.

Physical access includes classrooms with step-free entrances and ramps serving the hall and playground. Collection arrangements also require parents to tell staff when a different person will collect their child and give permission before release to someone unfamiliar.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer priority. Parents must make a separate application through Surrey County Council's online admissions service, naming St Matthew's as a preference. For September 2027 entry, the deadline is Friday, 15 January 2027. Applications under the church criteria also require the school's Supplementary Information Form.

The curriculum began in Nursery across subjects in June 2022, creating continuity in learning. That is separate from admission. Vocabulary teaching. The same inspection identified a school-wide need to plan key vocabulary more consistently in some subjects, because some pupils struggled to explain and remember learning. Language development is therefore a useful focus for families discussing their child's progress.

Full-time places are available through the 30 hours free childcare scheme or, for families who are ineligible, a contract. Contact the school for current charges. When nursery demand exceeds capacity, part-time applicants receive priority; applications are accepted throughout the year, subject to availability.

Nursery uniform consists of a white polo shirt, black jogging bottoms and a royal blue school sweatshirt. Label clothing and equipment with your child's name. For enquiries, call 01737 762080 or email info@stmatthews-redhill.surrey.sch.uk. School visits can be booked, with alternative appointments arranged through admissions@stmatthews-redhill.surrey.sch.uk.