St Johns Roman Catholic Primary School, After School Club and Nursery

Wooden planks, rolling cars and experiments with rolling objects give this nursery's September 2023 learning a concrete character: children explored ideas through play, with adults prompting them to explain their thinking. Books and storytelling were another clear emphasis.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its September 2023 inspection. It has capacity for 24 children aged 36 to 60 months and operates on the St Johns Roman Catholic Primary School site in Burscough.

In September 2023, children experimented with objects to discover which would roll, then considered changes to the equipment. This gave them opportunities to predict, test and explain rather than simply watch an adult demonstrate.

The early years foundation stage is the required framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the September 2023 examples included learning through play, conversation and stories. An author visit added a direct connection between books and the people who create them. Children discussed story characters as well as listening.

There were two clear teaching priorities in September 2023. Staff did not consistently stretch children's learning using what they knew about each child, and sometimes moved ahead before revisiting earlier learning or establishing understanding. These matter because an enjoyable activity also needs to help a child take the next step.

At the September 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described support involving developmental assessments, individual learning programmes coordinated by the special educational needs coordinator, and referrals to outside agencies where needed.

In September 2023, children turned to familiar staff for comfort and guidance. Adults helped them handle feelings and practise sharing, while routines included washing hands before food and helping put toys away. These were practical opportunities to develop independence alongside relationships.

Regular parent meetings in September 2023 addressed achievable learning targets. Families also described help with adjusting to nursery routines and moving into the host school's Reception class, connecting nursery care with the next stage.

The nursery is at St. Johns RC Primary School, Chapel Lane, Burscough, Ormskirk, L40 7RA. Opening hours are 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; it closes for school holidays.

In September 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for three- and four-year-olds. Support with transition to the host school was also described at that time. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place: families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Teaching beyond the activity. September 2023 improvement priorities concerned challenge and the order of learning. During a visit, ask how staff now decide when to revisit an idea and when to extend it.
• Term-time attendance. The nursery closes during school holidays. Its calendar suits families whose childcare requirements follow school terms.
• Reception transition. Families described transition support in September 2023. Keep that practical help separate from the admissions decision, which requires a school-place application.

This nursery suits families seeking term-time provision on a primary-school site. Its September 2023 account combines hands-on exploration, storytelling and familiar adult relationships with practical transition support. The teaching priorities provide a useful test for a visit: how does an activity become deeper learning for each child?