The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at St Marychurch Church of England Primary and Nursery 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Morning, afternoon or a full nursery day: St Marychurch gives families three ways to organise a term-time week. Its nursery serves three- and four-year-olds within St Marychurch Church of England Primary and Nursery School on Hartop Road, Torquay, with a maximum of 16 children admitted at any one time.
The Christian ethos belongs to the wider school, whose values include kindness, peace, joy and love. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 14 and 15 May 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school.
Play provides the route into learning through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In May 2024, nursery children were encouraged to investigate their surroundings, while adults used carefully chosen questions to extend their language. Early reading and number work were supported effectively. For parents, the useful distinction is that exploration comes with adult teaching, rather than being left entirely to the child.
Music brings practical activity into that picture. Children sing rhymes and songs; the early years learning spaces include instruments indoors and outside, a music wall made from everyday objects, and an outdoor stage for performance. These give children opportunities to experiment with sounds and express ideas to others.
Creative work also gives children room to test ideas. Across early years, children experiment with texture, colour and the ways materials can be shaped or used. The school values developing skills and trying a process alongside the finished artwork.
Curriculum consistency. In May 2024, some aspects of the curriculum were less securely established across the school's phases. Families should weigh that concern alongside the specific strengths in early years language, reading and number teaching.
A nursery lead and a learning support assistant form the nursery team. The settling sequence starts before regular attendance: after a place is confirmed, families are invited to a welcome meeting, with dates arranged for a home visit and a one-hour nursery taster. Induction can move at the child's pace. That gives families several opportunities to prepare for the new routine.
For children staying through lunch, there is a choice between bringing a packed meal and buying a school lunch. Children whose parents meet free school meal eligibility conditions receive a free lunch when attending both before and after the lunch period, whether those hours are funded or bought. Eligibility is checked through the Citizens Portal. Caterlink provides school meals and trains kitchen staff to meet individual dietary and allergen requirements.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority for the 2026-27 intake. Families must make a separate application through the local authority where their child lives; Torbay residents use Torbay's school admissions service.
For September 2026 entry, the application window ran from 1 November 2025 to 15 January 2026. Those dates are past. Families choosing nursery now should use the arrangements for their child's Reception intake year: admission rules can change between years. Treat the nursery choice and the later school application as two separate decisions.
Core sessions run from 9:00am to 11:30am in the morning, 12:45pm to 3:15pm in the afternoon, or 9:00am to 3:15pm for an all-day place. Core provision operates during term time. An all-day booking includes the 11:30am to 12:45pm lunch period; where that period forms part of a funded session, it cannot attract a separate charge.
The universal entitlement is 570 hours annually over at least 38 weeks. Eligible working families can use the extended entitlement of 1,140 hours. Additional hours can be bought during opening times; contact the school for current charges.
Longer days. Breakfast Club runs from 7:45am to 8:35am, and After School Club from 3:15pm to 6:00pm. These clubs include older children and different adults, so the experience may differ from the core nursery provision.
Requested sessions are subject to availability, and attendance changes generally begin at the start of a term. Nursery uniform is optional, with jumpers available to buy. To arrange a visit, contact the school on 01803 329070 or MRY.Admin@stcmat.org. Applications require both the Nursery Application Form and Parent Declaration Form, returned to the school.
Three- and four-year-olds can join from the funding period after their third birthday. Children generally start at the beginning of a term.
Yes. The term-time all-day session runs from 9:00am to 3:15pm and includes the lunch period. Morning and afternoon sessions are also offered.
Families are invited to a welcome meeting, followed by arrangements for a home visit and a one-hour nursery taster. Induction can be adjusted to the child's pace.
No. Nursery attendance gives no Reception priority for 2026-27, and a separate application through the child's home local authority is required. Use the arrangements for the relevant intake year.
Nursery children do not have to wear uniform. Optional jumpers can be purchased.
