Sacred Heart Pre-School

A Sensory Shed, access to the school grounds and a named key person give Sacred Heart Pre-School a clear identity: preschool care with space for movement and individual support. Based on the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School site in Thornton, it cares for children aged two to four and has capacity for 22 children. The shared site is useful context, rather than a promise of a school place.

At its October 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that targeted support for children with SEND helped their learning. Two teaching priorities deserve equal attention: questions that encourage children to develop their own ideas, and language that stretches their vocabulary.

Attendance can combine half days, full days and before or after school care. That gives families several ways to organise a preschool week, rather than a single daily pattern.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS shapes the day through seven areas of learning, with play, creative activity and interaction with other children. Carpet time brings children together for songs, the register and discussion; children also choose their lunch. Conversations can follow a planned theme or something a child wants to share, giving their interests a place in the routine.

Outdoor provision continues through the day, alongside snack breaks and indoor learning. The Nature Area and school field add different spaces to explore within the grounds. For families who value physical activity, this is a concrete part of the offer: outdoor experience extends beyond one play space.

In October 2024, children practised balancing along an obstacle course made from car tyres. Adults offered a hand when needed, then encouraged children to attempt the movement independently. Another activity involved preparing bananas for snack, bringing practical handling skills and hygiene into an everyday task. These examples connect learning with things children can actually do.

The teaching improvements are equally specific. In October 2024, some questions gave children too little opportunity to develop and explain their ideas, while adult language did not consistently introduce enough new vocabulary. For a parent, the useful distinction is between keeping a conversation going and extending it: both matter, but the latter was a development priority.

Outdoor and Community Life

The Sensory Shed provides a separate setting for sensory exploration and relaxation, using visual, sound, touch and body-awareness elements. Power was added in 2026. Its practical value is the option of a different sensory experience alongside the busier preschool routine; how an individual child uses it belongs in discussion about their support.

Relationships and Communication

Each child has a key person who becomes the family's main contact and gathers information about the child. This gives parents a clear starting point for conversations about interests, development and care, rather than leaving communication to whoever happens to be nearby.

A Learning Journey on Famly holds observations and assessments. Parents can also read event updates and message staff through the same platform. The connection is useful: information about learning and the means to discuss it sit together, so an observation can become a conversation rather than just an update.

In October 2024, settling arrangements included additional visits and allowing parents to remain with children who needed more support. Staff gathered details of each child's home life and existing development, then worked with families when separation was difficult. That offers a concrete example of adapting the settling process to the child.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

A SENCO role supports collaboration between families, staff and outside professionals. Teaching methods and materials are adapted for different learning needs, with developmental concerns identified early and progress monitored to adjust support. These are mechanisms parents can discuss in relation to their own child, rather than a general promise that one arrangement will suit everyone.

Staff hold current safeguarding and paediatric first-aid certificates and undertake continuing training. Those arrangements sit alongside the dated safeguarding judgement above; certificates alone are not a measure of effectiveness.

In October 2024, children used mirrors while talking about feelings and facial expressions, and adults helped them with sharing and managing behaviour. Staff also responded when children were hungry, tired or upset. Emotional support was therefore woven into ordinary activities and care routines.

Sessions and Attendance

Half-day attendance runs from 9am to noon, or from noon or 12.30pm to 3.20pm. A full preschool day runs from 9am to 3.20pm. The afternoon alternatives make lunchtime part of the booking decision, rather than an incidental detail.

The extended option combines preschool with before and after school care from 7.30am to 6pm. Breakfast Club can be booked separately from 7.30am to 9am, as can After School Club from 3.30pm to 6pm. These are separate choices, so families can match the extra care to the part of the day they need.

In October 2024, the setting operated during school terms, Monday to Friday. The later term calendar also includes holiday closures. Families arranging childcare around work should account for that term-based rhythm as well as the daily session times.

Getting There

The address is Sacred Heart Pre-School, Heys Street, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire FY5 4HL, on the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School site. Enquiries can be made by telephone, email or an online enquiry form.

Children also attend other local primary schools. Attending preschool on this site does not guarantee a Reception place.

Funding and Paid Extras

Private sessions are priced separately according to the attendance pattern. School lunch carries a separate charge within the session pricing, while families choosing the packed-lunch option provide lunch themselves. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Language and thinking. The October 2024 development priorities concerned richer vocabulary and questions that invite children's own ideas. During a visit, ask how staff extend conversation in play and help children explain their thinking.
• Lunchtime and afternoon starts. Afternoon sessions can begin at noon or 12.30pm, while lunch can be school-provided or brought from home. Choose the combination that fits your child's routine and your collection arrangements.
• Sensory support. The Sensory Shed sits alongside SENCO-led collaboration and adapted teaching. Discuss how these arrangements would be used for your child's particular needs.
• School-site expectations. Preschool attendance does not secure Reception admission. Treat choosing childcare and applying for a school place as separate decisions.

Sacred Heart suits families seeking half days or full days, with separate Breakfast Club and After School Club options when extra cover is needed. The school grounds, Sensory Shed and Famly communication give the offer substance. Its October 2024 Good judgement is balanced by precise teaching priorities: extending vocabulary and giving children more room to think aloud. Those priorities make a useful starting point for a visit, while the range of sessions makes this a practical choice for different weekly routines.