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Nursery at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Child-led play, adult-guided activities and Forest School shape the nursery experience at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School in Puckeridge. This is the school's own nursery, within its early years provision, with learning planned around children's interests. Those interests help determine what children explore, rather than simply sitting alongside adult plans.
The Catholic setting welcomes children of other faiths and those with none. In February 2023, Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Outstanding. That judgement covers early years across the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Play and purposeful teaching work together here. Children choose activities, while adults also direct learning, giving the nursery day both opportunities to follow an interest and occasions to tackle something an adult has planned. The school aims to use each child's interests to encourage engagement in learning.
The early years foundation stage (EYFS) experience emphasises learning and development through these activities. In February 2023, early years children made outstanding progress. Staff taught challenging vocabulary and ways to communicate, then used questions to extend children's understanding. For parents, the significant detail is the adult role: conversation is part of teaching, alongside the play itself. Activities were carefully planned to stretch children's thinking and stimulate curiosity.
Forest School starts in Nursery and continues through the school. Its practical exploration of the natural world gives children another way to develop interests and independence. The programme aims to build confidence through hands-on experiences, with sessions adapted to the individuals taking part. Communication and working together are part of that approach, so outdoor learning has a social purpose as well as an exploratory one.
Individual starting points matter to the school's early years approach, including for children with special educational needs. The school aims to recognise needs early and arrange support for learning, emotional development and social development. It can also involve specialist services from outside the school where needed.
Support within the classroom is the school's preferred approach wherever possible. The intention is to keep children involved in classroom life while addressing their needs, rather than treating participation and additional help as separate questions.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing the nursery and applying for a school place are separate decisions; attendance should not be treated as an offer of a Reception place.
WASPS Out of School Club partners with the school to provide additional childcare. Its breakfast and after-school clubs operate away from the school site, while an early years lunchtime club and holiday play scheme take place at St Thomas'. The different locations matter when planning childcare around the nursery day.
For nursery enquiries or to arrange a bespoke tour with the team, email admin@stcanterbury.herts.sch.uk or call 01920 821450. A tour provides a direct opportunity to discuss the nursery experience with the team before choosing it.
Children learn through a combination of play they initiate and activities led by adults. Planning takes account of individual children's interests.
Yes. The school's Forest School programme begins in Nursery, using practical experiences of the natural world to support interests and independence.
Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 21 and 22 February 2023. This covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline.
Email admin@stcanterbury.herts.sch.uk or telephone 01920 821450 to arrange a bespoke tour with the team.
