St John's Catholic Primary School Nursery

Stories, shared play with Reception children and an end-of-day prayer give this nursery its character. St John's Catholic Primary School in Banbury has nursery provision for children aged three and four, within a Catholic primary school. Faith has a place in the daily routine, alongside games, conversation and early learning.

In May 2023, Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. Nursery-specific findings included children beginning their reading journey and learning to cooperate and share materials, bringing language and social development together.

Play opens the day. Registration then brings children together to greet one another and count the group, making numbers part of an everyday routine. Foundations for Phonics introduces sound pronunciation and phonics games. There is time for conversation and further play afterwards, rather than a morning made entirely of group instruction.

The early years curriculum takes practical form through artwork, pretend play, making marks and stories in small groups. Reception children join the nursery for exploration, giving younger children opportunities to interact with older peers. Fruit and milk are followed by stories and outdoor play. Lunch takes place alongside Reception in the hall, with another outdoor spell afterwards.

Afternoons begin with either a story or number songs, followed by exploration outdoors or inside with Reception children. Singing, stories and prayer close the day. A picture book also goes home for families to read and discuss together, extending the focus on language beyond the session.

The May 2023 findings also carried school-wide curriculum cautions: teaching needed better adaptation for different pupils, and some subjects needed clearer connections between topics. These were broader curriculum concerns, rather than findings confined to nursery provision.

A class teacher works with colleagues across early years. Children receive help with putting coats away and changing shoes, so those small steps towards independence are part of the routine. Families supply spare clothes and, where needed, nappies and wipes. Care needs therefore sit alongside learning in the preparations for each day.

Fruit, milk and lunch provide pauses between activities. Sharing resources and working with other children were nursery features identified in May 2023, giving social learning a concrete place in the day.

For communication, parents can use the school's Arbor app or Parent Portal to view their child's information, update contact details and manage permissions. Access to a child's account is restricted to parents with parental responsibility.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority's coordinated admissions process, and must also complete the school's Supplementary Information Form by the local authority's closing date.

Shared exploration and lunch with Reception children provide everyday familiarity with older peers. That is useful preparation for the next stage, but it does not secure admission.

Bring indoor shoes, a named bag with spare clothing and a clear bottle containing water only. These are practical preparations for play, changing and drinking during the session.

Nursery enquiries go through the school office on 01295 263740 or office.3350@st-johns-banbury.oxon.sch.uk. Applications are being accepted for the January 2027 and April 2027 intakes, giving families two future starting points to consider.