St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Language, independent practice and early reading give this nursery its educational character. At the November 2023 Ofsted inspection, the school's early years provision was graded Outstanding, with communication developing strongly and children becoming familiar with routines quickly. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

St James the Great's nursery belongs to a Catholic primary school on Windsor Road in Thornton Heath, with children admitted from age three. The school describes its education as shaped by Catholic values. For families, that makes the faith setting part of the choice alongside the nursery's approach to learning.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) builds the knowledge and skills children will use in later learning. In November 2023, children had planned opportunities to try out their learning independently. The emphasis was on using what they had learned, giving them practice beyond adult instruction. Early years handwriting was also strong at that time.

Read, Write Inc is the named approach to reading and phonics in EYFS. Groups can change as staff assess children's learning, with additional assessments each half-term. This gives the reading programme a structure while allowing grouping to respond to progress. Individual reading also forms part of EYFS provision.

Reading for enjoyment has its own place. Love of Reading Friday gives children across all year groups time to choose texts and talk about them with adults and other children. Bug Club adds online books accessible to every child, with the class teacher assigning the reading band. Together, these arrangements connect supported reading, personal choice and access to books beyond the classroom.

Early years leadership sits within the deputy headteacher's responsibilities, linking the provision to the school's senior team. A school SENCO provides a contact for inclusion, working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Families discussing additional needs therefore have a defined role to approach.

The school aims to support children's emotional and social needs alongside their physical and academic development. That is its stated approach to inclusion, rather than a promise of a particular intervention. For a young child, the useful distinction is between the school's broad intention and the individual support agreed for them.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through their local authority's online route and meet the deadline for their application year. Choosing the nursery and applying for school entry are separate decisions.

The school also asks Reception applicants to return a Supplementary Information Form with supporting documents. Completing that form is optional, but an application without it is considered under category 10. The supplementary form does not replace the local authority application.

For nursery admissions enquiries, contact Admissions@stjamesthegreat.org or telephone 0208 771 3424. General enquiries can also go through the school's contact form, with a staff member responding.

After-school care. After School Club accepts children from Reception to Year 6. Nursery children are outside that age group, so families should not build their nursery childcare plans around this club.