St Mary's Church of England Primary Norwood Green Nursery

Outdoor learning and purposeful play give this nursery its defining emphasis. Provision for three-year-olds sits within St Mary's Church of England Primary Norwood Green, in Southall: the school describes it as a bridge between childcare and school, with play serving a learning purpose rather than simply filling the session.

The wider school's Christian identity shapes its approach to children and families. Children of any faith, and those with none, are welcome. Respect, service, love, perseverance and faith are its shared values, giving parents a clear picture of the religious context in which the nursery operates.

Purposeful play is the nursery's starting point, alongside an emphasis on learning outdoors. For parents, that places exploration alongside preparation for school. The school aims for nursery children to become confident and capable as they approach the next stage; that is its ambition, rather than a promise about individual progress.

The school's own woodland gives the outdoor emphasis a concrete setting. Forest School involves a specialist teacher working across the Ecclesia Partnership. Across the school's Forest School provision, children investigate wildlife, make art from natural materials and build dens. These examples explain the practical character of the approach: children learn through handling, making and exploring their surroundings.

The school plans learning around children's age and skills. Subject leaders oversee how knowledge and skills connect between stages, so the nursery belongs to a wider sequence of learning. In October 2022, Ofsted found that the early years curriculum gave children a sound base for subsequent learning. That finding concerns early years across the school, rather than a separate nursery judgement.

Additional needs have a clear first point of contact: parents should raise concerns with the class teacher, who discusses observations with the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO). This gives families a route from an initial concern to a discussion about possible support.

The SENCO works alongside parents, staff, the local authority and outside professionals. The school aims to recognise additional needs early and uses reasonable adjustments to support children's learning and development. Families can contact the SEND team at send@stmarysschoolng.org. For families using full wraparound, app-based communication and a calendar help parents contact their child's class teacher and follow school and classroom news.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the provision itself, with the later school application treated as a separate step.

Wraparound care extends from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, for all children. It carries an additional charge; contact the school office for current charges. Those extended hours are useful for families whose working day reaches beyond school hours.

For nursery enquiries, email office@stmarysschoolng.org or telephone 020 3693 0510. School tours can be arranged through the office, with an after-school visit possible for families unable to attend during the school day. The school is at 26 Tentelow Lane, Norwood Green, UB2 4LE.