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Nursery at St Patrick's Catholic Primary Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Daily prayer with Makaton gives this nursery a distinctly Catholic character from the earliest years. Nursery children belong to the school's EYFS Unit in Birstall, with an early years teacher responsible for nursery provision. Faith is part of the day, rather than simply the school's name.
There are 26 part-time places of 15 hours, or equivalent full-time places of 30 hours for children eligible for 30-hour funding. Those are alternative uses of the provision, so families should distinguish the place capacity from their child's attendance pattern. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at its inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023; this judgement covers early years within the school.
Morning nursery runs from 8:50am to 11:50am. Children taking the extended offer stay until 3:20pm from Monday to Thursday, while Friday finishes at 12:50pm. Each extended day includes an hour for lunch. The shorter Friday makes a practical difference to the working week.
Outdoor play has a concrete developmental purpose. In November 2023, climbing equipment in the early years outdoor area was helping children develop coordination, balance and strength. Progress across the prime areas of the early years curriculum was good. Here, physical learning includes using the body through play.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the children's learning framework. Here, that learning includes physical development through climbing and play, emotional learning through My Happy Mind stories, and religious learning through Lighting the Path and daily prayer. Children use Makaton during their prayers. My Happy Mind adds stories through which EYFS children meet the programme's characters. It works alongside Zones of Regulation, giving emotional learning a place alongside religious learning and physical activity.
Settling precedes detailed assessment. In November 2023, children felt secure and cared for in early years and settled happily; staff assessed individual learning needs once children were comfortable with the curriculum. SEND needs were recognised promptly, allowing additional help to begin without delay.
Makaton training extended to all early years staff. In November 2023, its use helped children with SEND communicate and interact, reducing frustration when expressing their needs was difficult. That is a practical benefit for a child who cannot yet explain what they need independently.
Across the school, St Peter's room provides sensory equipment and spaces for calming activities to support self-regulation. For children receiving SEND support, parents meet the class teacher and SENCo at least termly to discuss progress and provision. These meetings give families a regular opportunity to review how support is working.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception process and meet the deadline for their child's entry year.
For the September 2026 intake, the application route combined an online Kirklees application with a Supplementary Information Form submitted to the school. That is a past entry cycle.
Preparation for the change is separate from allocation of a place. Reception starters have visits during the latter half of the summer term, and parents can meet the class teacher at an information evening. Social stories can be created where transition is likely to be difficult, helping children prepare for unfamiliar routines.
Parents stay with nursery children in the playground until the 8:55am bell. Morning collection at 11:50am involves using the gate buzzer, collecting from the EYFS Unit door and leaving through the playground gate. At 3:20pm, extended-session collection is from the EYFS Unit class doors.
Friday collection. The extended offer ends at 12:50pm on Friday. Families need to plan for this earlier finish.
Wheelchair access extends to all school areas, with ramps near steps and a disabled parking bay beside the school bungalow. Families with specific access needs can contact the office to discuss their child's arrangements before starting.
For nursery enquiries or to arrange a school visit, contact the office on 01924 423220 or email office@stpatricksbirstall.co.uk.
There are 26 part-time 15-hour places, or equivalent full-time 30-hour places for children eligible for 30-hour funding.
The morning session runs from 8:50am to 11:50am.
It runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm Monday to Thursday and from 8:50am to 12:50pm on Friday, including an hour for lunch each day.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
Reception starters have visits in the second half of the summer term, alongside an information evening for parents. Social stories can be created when transition is likely to be challenging.
