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Nursery at St Anne's Catholic Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play shapes the learning here, with Eager Explorers for two-year-olds and Foundation One (F1) forming the nursery provision at St Anne’s Catholic Primary School in Rock Ferry, Birkenhead. The early years setting welcomes children aged two to four. It sits within a Catholic school, with an Eager Explorers room leader, an F1 teacher and early years support assistants: distinct roles for the youngest children within the wider school team.
Children have time to follow their interests alongside activities directed by adults. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, move and manage feelings with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Here, staff observe children’s play and use conversations and questions to decide what to introduce next. That makes children’s interests part of the planning.
The early years curriculum includes daily teaching in phonics, literacy and mathematics, alongside play opportunities where children can use those developing skills. Weekly plans respond to individual interests and needs, while longer plans connect learning across Eager Explorers and F1. The balance gives children both adult guidance and opportunities to make choices.
Language development has a specific inspection finding behind it. At the inspection on 25 and 26 March 2025, Ofsted found that two- and three-year-olds were developing their understanding of language and sounds effectively, laying foundations for later phonics learning. Learning is shared with families using Tapestry or ClassDojo, giving parents examples to discuss with their child beyond the session.
Settling starts with contact between families and staff. Before children join Eager Explorers or F1, parents and children can visit, spend time in the classroom and meet the team. Starting arrangements are adjusted to the individual child, so the first step is getting familiar with people and surroundings.
For additional needs, parents can begin with the class teacher and arrange contact with the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) through the office. Support plans can include individual or small-group work, with targets reviewed each term alongside parents. The school also employs a speech and language therapist to support identified communication needs.
Rainbow Room adds a physical space for children needing provision beyond their usual classroom. From September 2026, its focus is predominantly early years, using a sensory-led setting while keeping connections with children’s classes. Access is considered individually and reviewed with families. An accessible toilet includes facilities for changing nappies, a useful practical feature for children who need personal care support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority.
There is a carefully limited priority provision to understand. The proposed admission arrangements for 2027–28 give Foundation One attendance additional priority within each admissions category, after the sibling and staff provisions. This does not move a non-Catholic nursery child ahead of Catholic applicants in higher categories. The proposed timetable gives 15 January 2027 as the application deadline, with a Common Application Form obtained through the home local authority.
Practical transition is separate from allocation. Reception induction introduces children to their next teacher, teaching assistant and classroom surroundings; additional visits can be arranged for children with additional needs where appropriate. Familiarity supports the change, but does not secure admission.
Eager Explorers runs from 8.50am to 11.50am. F1 offers mornings at those same times, afternoons from 12.10pm to 3.10pm, and a 30-hour full-day pattern from 8.50am to 3.10pm. These are different attendance options, allowing families to distinguish a short session from the longer day.
Funding follows a 38-week year. Universal funding provides 15 hours weekly for three- and four-year-olds, beginning in the term following their third birthday. An additional 15 hours depends on eligibility; families seeking 30-hour funding must apply for their code in the preceding term. Paid two-year-old places and F1 afternoon places are subject to availability. Refer to the school for current charges.
For a nursery application form, call into the school office. Visits can also be arranged through the office, on 0151 645 3682 or schooloffice@stannes.wirral.sch.uk.
The early years setting welcomes children aged two to four, including Eager Explorers for two-year-olds and the F1 nursery class.
Eager Explorers and F1 mornings run from 8.50am to 11.50am. F1 afternoons run from 12.10pm to 3.10pm; the 30-hour full-day pattern runs from 8.50am to 3.10pm.
Yes. Contact the school office to arrange a visit. Before joining Eager Explorers or F1, children and parents can spend time in the classroom and meet staff.
No. A separate application through your home local authority is required. The proposed 2027–28 arrangements give F1 attendance priority within each admissions category, subject to the other priority provisions; they do not guarantee a place.
Parents discuss needs with the class teacher and SENCO. Individual support targets are reviewed termly with families, and Rainbow Room access is considered and reviewed individually.
