Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Play, conversation and learning to recognise sounds give Sacred Heart’s nursery its character. Up to 26 children aged three to four attend this provision within the school’s Early Years unit in Teddington. It welcomes Catholic and non-Catholic families, so the school’s religious identity does not restrict the nursery’s welcome to one faith.

The practical choice is between morning attendance and a longer school day. Provision runs during term time, making the school calendar an essential part of family planning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives learning its framework. Communication, physical development and learning about feelings and relationships support work on early literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world. For parents, this means learning extends beyond letters and numbers. Exploring, playing and trying out ideas are part of the curriculum, with independence and curiosity among its aims.

In April 2023, Ofsted described early-years children searching for hidden objects both outdoors and in the classroom, building their understanding of positional language through the activity. Words about where things are become useful tools in a game, rather than an isolated vocabulary exercise. The same inspection recorded nursery children learning to recognise differences between environmental sounds. Listening is part of the preparation for reading.

Five Little Speckled Frogs adds another concrete example: nursery song resources include versions using props and ukulele accompaniment. Alongside the EYFS, the school’s relational approach includes Thrive R and Zones of regulation, linking learning with emotional development and recognising feelings.

A nursery teacher and nursery assistant form the team. The nursery operates under the school’s policies, giving its care arrangements a place within the wider school structure. For children with additional needs, the school provides a SEND Information Report and a link to the local authority’s Local Offer, routes for families to understand support and local services.

Lunch creates a decision for children staying beyond the morning. The September 2024 arrangements offered a healthy packed lunch brought from home or a hot school meal. Under that offer, children attending for 30 hours who qualified for Early Years Pupil Premium received a free hot meal and exemption from lunchtime supervision charges. That eligibility condition matters when planning the longer day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Sacred Heart. The two admissions processes are separate, even though the nursery belongs to the school’s Early Years unit. Families must apply again for Reception by the deadline for their child’s entry year.

The school’s application route requires the borough’s Common Application Form alongside a Supplementary Information Form returned to the school with supporting documents. Treat this as a separate application to complete, rather than an automatic continuation of nursery attendance.

Sessions run Monday to Friday in term time, excluding inset days. Morning provision is 8:45am to 11:45am; lunch occupies 11:45am to 12:15pm, followed by the afternoon session from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. The September 2024 offer set out 15-hour morning places and school-day places from 8:45am to 3:15pm through eligible extended funding or self-funding, subject to availability for the latter.

Under those 2024 arrangements, extended hours and hot meals required advance booking and payment through ScoPay each half term, with monthly arrangements possible. Lunchtime supervision carried a separate charge unless the stated exemption applied. Ask the school for current charges before choosing the longer day.

September, January and April starts can be arranged when places permit. Nursery tours are bookable through the office: email info@sacredheart.richmond.sch.uk or call 020 8977 6591. A tour gives families a direct opportunity to see the nursery before applying.