St Aubyn's School Nursery Review

Two purpose-built Nursery classrooms give St Aubyn’s youngest children a base of their own, while French, singing and PE introduce them to specialist teaching from the start. This is a school nursery with play and exploration running alongside taught activities. Entry begins at age three, within the school’s Pre-Prep department in Woodford Green.

The strongest inspection evidence concerns how closely staff understand individual children. At its 13 to 15 May 2025 inspection, ISI recognised early-years observation, planning and staff supervision as a significant strength. Activities respond to children’s interests and existing skills, making the next step in learning specific to the child.

Registration starts at 8:45am, and the early-years day finishes at 3:15pm. Morning learning combines early work with words and numbers with exploration through play. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives this its structure: children develop communication, movement and relationships alongside reading, mathematics, creative expression and understanding their surroundings.

Inside, the two Nursery classrooms support practical exploration. Specialist sessions in French, singing and physical education also use the sports hall and Performing Arts Centre. These give young children different ways to communicate, move and participate beyond their classroom activities.

Language develops through stories, creative responses and small-group work on letter sounds. Adults use play to extend vocabulary, adjusting activities to the next reading or writing skill each child needs. In Nursery mathematics, children counted confidently to ten during May 2025; toys and other resources helped children who needed concrete objects to compare quantities.

Outdoors, the wooded learning environment and bicycles provide opportunities to practise balance and movement. Sports specialists develop coordination, while activities connected to class themes exercise smaller hand movements. Early-years children also decorate stones for the wellbeing garden and take turns helping their class. Learning includes doing something useful for others.

Settling starts before the first day. Summer Term transition sessions let incoming Nursery children meet their teachers, explore the classrooms and try familiar daily routines. Class teachers provide the main pastoral contact for families, with department leaders adding support when needed.

Children use symbols and pegs bearing their names to communicate their emotions. As their vocabulary grows, adults can help them describe feelings and practise managing them. Frequent staff supervision discussions translate observations into changes to activities, support or the learning environment. In May 2025, this individual attention supported consistently good progress across the early years.

Challenge for All combines additional help with extension. Support begins in Nursery and can involve changes to classroom planning, focused intervention or individual specialist sessions where appropriate. A qualified nurse is present during the school day. Lunch is included for full-day Nursery children; the September-to-December morning-only arrangement excludes lunch.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. The published Reception route involves school registration; existing Nursery families should confirm with admissions what they must submit for Reception consideration. Registered Reception applicants undertake an informal assessment in the Lent Term, and offers depend on places being available and the relevant entry criteria.

Reception entry considers children’s social and emotional readiness, behaviour and ability to join the existing group. Families should plan around that admissions decision rather than assume that familiarity with the school secures progression.

Morning-only Nursery runs from September to December, before full-time attendance begins in January. That change matters for families arranging work and childcare: the shorter pattern is an introductory arrangement rather than an option throughout the year.

Before-school care opens at 7:30am for Nursery children, with cereal, milk and toast served until 8:30am. Drawing, puzzles and construction provide activities before lessons. After-school care has a published 4:15pm-to-6pm slot and includes a light tea of fruit and sandwiches. Book it through ParentPay; wraparound care carries separate charges. There is no After School Care on the final day of term.

For current charges and a personal tour, contact the admissions team at registrar@staubyns.com or telephone 020 8504 1577. Registration is online, and Nursery applicants meet the Early Years team rather than take a formal assessment.