The nursery will offer 30 places for children
A new permanent nursery at Stepney Greencoat CE Primary School was approved at a Tower Hamlets Cabinet meeting last night, following a successful pilot scheme that has been in place since September 2023.
The expansion will provide much-needed high-quality early years education for three and four-year-olds in the local area, with the site providing 30 places from September 2025.
The addition to Stepney Greencoat builds on the school’s strong reputation for learning and community engagement, and the school will provide curriculum support to the nursery.
The site will deliver free childcare hours under the government’s early years entitlement scheme, enabling parents to access 15 to 30 hours of care each week at no cost.
The nursery will also offer wraparound care, including breakfast and after-school clubs, to further assist parents managing busy schedules.
Deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Maium Talukdar, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth, and Lifelong Learning, said:
“This new permanent nursery will make a real difference to local families, offering high-quality early years education that lays the foundation for children’s future success. By providing an additional nursery we are supporting parents and giving children the tools they need to thrive.
“Our goal is to ensure every child gets the best possible start in life and the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Tessa Elbourne, a parent of a child who has been attending the nursery during the pilot, said:
“Our family has massively benefited from being able to send our daughter to Stepney Greencoat nursery. We have found the nursery to be an incredibly safe, supportive space, and a place she loves going to. She is learning and developing really well and benefits from many ‘whole school’ opportunities that she would miss out at a stand-alone nursery.
“On a practical level it has meant we don’t have to resettle our daughter in different environments in a short space of time, she is able to be cared for in the same environment as her older sibling, and we are able to work childcare around our working patterns.”
Liz Figueiredo, Executive Headteacher at St Peter's London Docks and Stepney Greencoat CE Primary School, said:
“This marks a significant milestone in our school's journey, and we could not be more excited to welcome our youngest learners into our school.
“The opening of our nursery brings numerous benefits. For families in our community, it provides access to high-quality early years education in a safe and familiar setting. This will allow families to build strong relationships with our staff and create a seamless transition for younger children into school life.
“This new venture reflects our ongoing commitment to the needs of our local community and we look forward to seeing the nursery thrive and to welcoming many young children to our school in the near future.”
Early years education provides children with essential skills in communication, social interaction, and problem solving. Stepney Greencoat nursery will follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, ensuring every child receives a high-quality education tailored to their development.
The nursery will also provide opportunities for early identification of additional needs, allowing for timely support and intervention for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Any families interested in applying can find more information by contacting the school on office2@stepneygreencoat.towerhamlets.sch.uk or by calling 020 7987 3202.
Posted on Sunday 1st December 2024