Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Letter shapes, early sounds and themed learning give the nursery at Our Lady of Lourdes its character. This is the school’s own Nursery Class, also called Year N, on Trittiford Road in Yardley Wood, Birmingham. It sits within a Catholic primary school whose ethos families are asked to respect, including those applying from another faith or none.

The important qualification is educational. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Requires improvement at the inspection on 7 and 8 January 2025. That judgement covers early years across the school, rather than a separately graded nursery.

Early literacy has concrete starting points here: nursery children work on forming letters and exploring phonics. Year N has Phase 1 Phonics materials and a Nursery Phonics Workshop for parents. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the nursery’s curriculum framework; its materials include fine motor development and mark making, the early movements and marks that lead towards writing.

Pirate Theme Day and People Who Help Us Theme Day appear among the EYFS activities. These give families specific examples of the themes used in early learning. Each class also has a library space containing books for home reading and classroom topics, giving books a physical place within the learning environment.

Delivery needs scrutiny. In January 2025, early years teaching did not consistently put the planned curriculum into practice. Some children had too little rehearsal of newly learned sounds, slowing their progress. Participation routines were also insecure, leaving children insufficiently focused on learning activities. Staff training and activities that help children use their learning were required to strengthen preparation for their next stage.

Settling begins with contact beyond the classroom. Before nursery entry, staff visit children’s previous settings, and induction includes home visits so families can meet key staff in familiar surroundings. For children with autism or communication needs, Social Stories can be developed with families and their nursery to explain the change ahead. These are practical ways to introduce unfamiliar people and routines.

At the January 2025 inspection, early years staffing changes had disrupted continuity, and children had yet to become fully familiar with school routines and expectations.

Parents receive a curriculum letter each term, explaining learning and classroom procedures. Additional needs have a separate EYFS SEN Support category. Individual Education Plans are sent home termly, with a review meeting each term, so parents can discuss targets and progress rather than waiting for concerns to accumulate.

Mobility access. The school building has four floor levels connected by stairs, and its SEND information warns that wheelchair users’ needs may not be met effectively. Outdoor areas are described as accessible. Families with mobility needs should consider the building’s limitations alongside the proposed support for their child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat the nursery decision and the later school application as separate choices.

Class transition has its own preparation: children spend part of an annual transition day with their next teacher in their new classroom. For children with SEND, arrangements are planned individually, and education and welfare information passes between teachers. Familiarity and information sharing support the change of class; they do not secure admission.

For enquiries, contact the school office on 01214442684 or email enquiries@ourlady.bham.sch.uk. For September 2027 entrants, the remaining advertised open mornings are 16 October and 17 November, from 9:20 to 11:00, and 28 November, from 9:00 to 10:30. They include a school tour, questions and application packs. Booking is unnecessary, but families should be punctual.

Collection rules affect everyday arrangements. Anyone collecting a child must be at least 16 and on the family’s approved list. Notify the office beforehand when a different authorised person will collect, and keep contact details updated.