Wells Primary School Nursery Review

A daily story, puppets and a designated outdoor learning area give Wells Primary School’s nursery its character. Books shape the learning, while the session choices include mornings, afternoons and two patterns spread across half a week. This gives families a choice between shorter sessions and a mixture of full and half days.

In Woodford Green, the school’s own nursery admits children from age three and offers 52 places. The nursery team includes an early years educator and a teacher who also leads early years. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 22 and 23 October 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school.

Stories do more than fill a quiet moment. Children hear at least one each day, act out the action through drama and use puppets to explore the characters. This book-based approach gives them different ways to engage with language: listening, speaking and playing a part. Daily phonics uses Read Write, Inc., introducing the sounds involved in learning to read.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework guiding children’s early education and care. Here, learning takes place indoors and outdoors, with toys and learning equipment in the nursery classroom and an outdoor area designated for the setting. Outdoor learning is part of the provision, giving children another space in which to explore.

The October 2024 early-years findings show what that learning can look like: children recalled rhymes from Room on the Broom and added expressive sound effects to the story. They also used accurate words for shapes during mathematics. These are concrete examples of vocabulary being practised through both stories and mathematical ideas. Early-years children visited a fire station to learn about danger, connecting safety learning with a real place.

Settling starts before the first session. Home visits are offered to children joining the school, alongside Stay and Play sessions that introduce the surroundings and teaching team. Parents can also help their children settle in the mornings. Familiarity begins before the regular nursery routine.

Weekly learning updates give parents something specific to discuss with their child, and staff are available for conversations about progress. Children attending full days bring a packed lunch; they eat it at school between 11.25am and 11.50am. Lunch is therefore something families prepare for as part of the nursery day.

For children with SEND, the school’s support structure brings together teachers, support staff and senior leaders. Parents contribute to review meetings. External support comes from SEATSS, alongside educational psychology and health services. This provides a route for discussing additional needs and reviewing the support a child receives.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal local authority process. Wells handles nursery applications directly, while applications for statutory school-age admission go to Redbridge’s Schools Admissions Office. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Morning sessions run from 8.25am to 11.25am, and afternoon sessions finish at 3pm. One half-week pattern combines full days on Monday and Tuesday with Wednesday morning; the other combines Wednesday afternoon with full days on Thursday and Friday. The listed patterns are free, with additional sessions chargeable when space permits. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery enquiries go directly to the school. For admissions, call 020 8708 0500 and choose option 3, or email admissions@wellsprimary.co.uk. Visits can be arranged through the school office, providing an opportunity to meet staff and see the nursery’s learning spaces.