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Nursery at St Mary's Catholic 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, seasonal rhythms and religious education shape nursery learning at St Mary's, with children able to start from their second birthday. This is the nursery within St Mary's Catholic Primary School on Cross Lanes, Richmond, serving two-, three- and four-year-olds as part of its early years provision. Catholic themes run through the curriculum, rather than sitting apart from everyday learning.
At the inspection on 11 and 12 July 2023, Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning about feelings and relationships with movement, communication and language. Alongside these foundations, children develop early literacy and mathematics, explore the world and express ideas through art and design. For parents, this means the curriculum reaches beyond early reading: social development and physical skills have their own place.
Stories and the changing year provide the organising themes, linked with religious education. Indoor and outdoor learning spaces are adapted, with resources chosen to support children's learning. The nursery aims to account for the different experiences children bring with them, rather than expecting everyone to begin at the same point.
Books also support early exploration of past and present. In EYFS, children may use visitors, their own experiences and everyday changes to learn about other people's lives. Technology teaching starts in early years too, including how to respond to unsuitable content. These are practical starting points for understanding time, people and safe choices.
In July 2023, early years learning had a carefully planned curriculum and a structured introduction to phonics. Children also enjoyed playing together. Early reading therefore sits alongside social play.
A nursery teacher works within an EYFS team that includes teaching assistants. Relationships with parents and a key person form part of the nursery's approach to helping children develop independence.
Lunch is at 11:45am, and lunchtime supervision is included within session hours. Families choosing a full day therefore have lunch built into the timetable, rather than a separate supervision interval.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), parents can speak with the nursery teacher and the school's special educational needs coordinator. Assess, Plan, Do and Review is the named process for considering needs and organising support. It gives families a route to discuss their concerns and contribute to decisions about their child's learning.
Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery admission and Reception admission are separate: families must apply again for Reception through the normal admissions route and meet the relevant deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for school as two decisions, keeping the Reception application separate from nursery session bookings.
Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am. Full days finish at 2:45pm after an 8:45am start, with an additional paid half-hour allowing collection at 3:15pm. The six-hour day is the example used for a 30-hour pattern across Monday to Friday.
Session changes. Bookings are fixed for the term because of staffing ratios. Families can request changes or extra sessions before the next term begins, so choose a pattern that fits the whole term.
Eligible working parents can access 30 funded hours a week for children from age two, with funding beginning in the term after the second birthday. Sessions before that point are charged. Eligibility codes must remain valid and be reconfirmed every three months; an invalid code means charges apply. Without childcare codes, sessions carry hourly charges, with different rates for two-year-olds and for three- and four-year-olds. Contact the school for current charges.
Use the age-specific nursery application pack and return it to the office or by email. For enquiries, telephone 01748 822365. Visits can be arranged through the school's main reception.
Children can start as soon as they turn two. Nursery application packs cover two-year-olds and children aged three and four.
The morning runs from 8:45am to 11:45am. A full day runs from 8:45am to 2:45pm, with a paid extension to 3:15pm.
Selected sessions are fixed for that term because of staffing ratios. Changes or additional sessions can be requested before the next term starts.
For eligible working parents, funding begins in the term after the child's second birthday. Earlier sessions are charged, and eligibility codes must be valid and reconfirmed every three months.
No. Families need a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, by the relevant deadline.
