St James's Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

A mud kitchen, a wildlife pond and small-group stories in The Thomas library give St James's Nursery Pre-school a day that reaches beyond its own classroom. This is teacher-led provision within a Catholic primary school in Twickenham, with 52 nursery places and entry from age three. Children use school facilities for music, movement and exploring nature.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at its October 2024 inspection; that judgement covers early years, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The early years findings describe motivated children who cooperate, share and treat one another respectfully. For parents, those are useful signs of how children learn alongside their peers.

Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with a Mastery Curriculum organised around a new topic each half-term. The nursery breaks learning into steps towards the Early Learning Goals, so activities sit within a planned sequence. Each topic includes a memorable experience, giving children something concrete to connect with their learning.

Weekly sessions bring different spaces into use. Physical development takes place in the school halls; small groups visit The Thomas library for stories; music lessons use the music room. These give movement, listening and music their own place in the week. In October 2024, early years staff were skilled at helping children develop speech and communication, a finding that matters across both group activities and play.

Outside, the EYFS playground combines sensory spaces and role play with a climbing frame, slide and mud kitchen. The outdoor classroom sits beside it, while visits to the wildlife pond and nature trails on the tree-lined school field extend exploration further. Children can move between imaginative play, physical activity and encounters with the natural world.

An EYFS teacher works with a key worker team. For children needing individual support, the nursery has a Quiet Zone, alongside strategies to help communication and managing emotions. The school's SEND policy also allows support to begin without an external diagnosis and involves families in reviewing plans each term. That gives parents a part in deciding what help their child needs.

For the September 2026 intake, a parent welcome event and children's stay-and-play were scheduled for July 2026. These were intended to introduce families to the nursery before the year began. Ongoing school communication uses Arbor, newsletters and email, giving families channels for information beyond conversations with staff.

A cooked lunch is optional. Nursery Breakfast Club supplies a light breakfast, whereas the shorter morning club serves no refreshments. Families using these clubs must notify the team about allergies and dietary needs, keeping food arrangements connected to the child's requirements.

Reception admission is separate. Attending the nursery neither guarantees a Reception place nor earns priority under the September 2027 admission arrangements. Families must apply again through their home local authority, using its Common Application Form. For London boroughs, the route is eAdmissions, with applications closing on 15 January 2027.

Applications under a faith criterion also need the school's Supplementary Information Form and supporting documents returned to the school by that date. Familiarity with the school does not replace either application step. Choose the nursery for the experience it offers now, and make the Reception application separately.

The nursery runs Monday to Friday in term time. Its 30-hour day is 9.10am to 3.10pm; the 15-hour options are mornings, 9.10am to 12.10pm, or afternoons, 12.10pm to 3.10pm. Families apply for either a 15-hour or a 30-hour placement, rather than both. The charging structure includes self-funding where parents are ineligible for the full 30-hour working-parent funding, with cooked lunch and morning clubs as optional extras. Contact the school for current charges.

Before-school care is restricted to children attending the 30-hour or morning 15-hour nursery provision. Nursery Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am to 9.10am, and Nursery Before School Morning Club from 8.40am to 9.10am. Registration is required, and changes to bookings depend on availability and the minimum booking requirement; booked days cannot be swapped. Enquiries go to nurseryextra@st-james.richmond.sch.uk. Adults must accompany and sign children into the clubs, and cannot drive onto the site for drop-off or collection.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 02087448860. School uniform is required, with pre-loved items offered at nursery new-joiner stay-and-play sessions.