Wulstan's Lodge Childcare

A portable cabin called The Lodge, an outdoor bank for exploration and a strong emphasis on talk give Wulstan's Lodge Childcare its character. This is a preschool setting with school-age clubs alongside it, rather than a baby nursery. There are 20 places in total, with nursery sessions for children aged 2 to 5 and club provision extending to age 11.

At its 8 May 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good overall. The practical choice is substantial: morning, afternoon and full-day nursery bookings sit alongside breakfast, after-school and holiday care. A voluntary committee of parents and local residents oversees the setting, giving families a route into its management as well as its daily life.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, play connects communication, physical skills, relationships, early reading and number work. The curriculum also includes understanding the natural world and expressing ideas through materials and imaginative play. These are the foundations of the nursery day, rather than an extra programme.

Communication Friendly 2-4s Status adds a named strand to that approach. It is linked to the Early Years Professional Development Programme (EYPDP), which provides evidence-informed professional development for practitioners working with children aged two to four. Its practical relevance is staff development around this age group; it is not a separate curriculum replacing the early years foundation stage.

In May 2024, books, songs and adults' commentary on play supported everyday conversation. Staff used flower-shaped prompts carrying vocabulary they wanted children to encounter. That made language work part of activities rather than something confined to a separate lesson.

Learning topics changed with children's interests. During May 2024, painting with sweetcorn exercised small hand movements, while bubble games brought counting into play. Children could explore ideas through materials and movement. The limitation was challenge: some questions and activities gave older children too little opportunity to develop their thinking further.

Outdoor and Community Life

The Lodge's portable-cabin building sits beside a bank used for discovery and exploration. This physical setting gives outdoor activity a clear place in its identity, rather than leaving the nursery's character entirely to its curriculum description.

Holiday Club combines drama, music, sport and creative activities, with outdoor play when weather allows and use of nearby Stourport Memorial Park. Those experiences belong to holiday provision; they should not be read as a promise of the same outings during nursery sessions. After School Club also uses indoor and outdoor space, with cooking, crafts, games and quizzes among its activities.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well supported through a SENCo, specialist guidance and individual plans. That gives families a dated assessment of both safety and additional support, with concrete mechanisms behind the judgement.

In May 2024, staff observed children's development and used those observations to identify needs and plan next steps. Children brought things from home and talked about their families, giving adults a way to connect nursery experiences with life beyond the setting. Parents also received information about the day and learning that they could build on at home.

Predictable routines helped organise the day. In May 2024, songs marked tidying and handwashing, while gentle reminders supported behaviour. Children managed personal-care routines and used named coat pegs, although staff sometimes missed opportunities to encourage children to remove their own painting aprons or hang up their artwork.

Wellbeing included recognising feelings as well as physical activity. In May 2024, children explored the sensation of their heartbeat after jumping, and preschool children discussed their feelings about starting school. These are useful ways to make bodily changes and transitions understandable at a child's level.

Sessions and Attendance

The nursery day runs during term time, Monday to Friday. Nursery Morning Session is 9.15am to 12.15pm, Nursery Afternoon Session is 12.15pm to 3.15pm, and Nursery Full Day is 9.15am to 3.15pm. Families can therefore book a shorter session or combine the nursery day into one booking.

Term-time opening hours extend from 7.30am to 6pm through club provision. Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am to 9am and takes weekly bookings. After-school care offers 3.30pm to 4.30pm, 4.30pm to 6pm or 3.30pm to 6pm bookings. Holiday Club runs from 8am to 5pm for children aged 2 to 11, including children who do not attend this nursery or the neighbouring school. Bank holidays are closed.

Getting There

The address is St Wulstan's Catholic Primary School, Stagborough Way, Stourport-On-Severn, DY13 8TX; access is through Elmfield Walk. Contact is by telephone, email or an online enquiry form.

For children attending the neighbouring school, breakfast and after-school care includes escorting them along a private pathway between the two settings. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place: families still use the local authority admissions process.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funding includes the free 15 hours entitlement a week during term time only, starting in the term after a child's third birthday, alongside funding for eligible two-year-olds and 30 hour funding. The 15 funded hours can be used during nursery sessions without buying additional sessions; extra attendance is paid separately. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation, with details on its fees and funding page.

Nursery snacks carry a separate charge, whereas After School Club snacks and drinks are included in its session price. A one-off registration charge includes a polo shirt; Holiday Club can carry extra charges for particular activities and does not offer funded hours.

• Challenge for older children. The May 2024 improvement priorities included extending children's thinking through better teaching and questioning. During a viewing, ask how activities now stretch children approaching school age.
• Doing things independently. In May 2024, adults sometimes missed opportunities to encourage children's independence. Ask how children now practise taking responsibility for their belongings and finishing activities themselves.
• Term-time nursery and holiday care. Nursery sessions and Holiday Club have different hours, and holiday attendance is outside the funded offer. Consider both arrangements when planning care across school breaks.
• Seeing the setting in operation. Viewings use a no-appointment arrangement. Use that opportunity to discuss settling and what to bring for your child's chosen sessions.

Wulstan's Lodge suits families seeking morning or afternoon preschool sessions as well as a full nursery day, with breakfast, after-school and holiday options alongside them. Its language emphasis, outdoor bank and parent-led committee give it a recognisable identity. The Good judgement provides a dated assessment; the useful questions concern how older children are challenged and how much they are encouraged to do for themselves.