St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Painting poppies, experimenting with play dough and choosing activities independently give this nursery its character. In November 2023, nursery children were already tackling these activities alone or alongside other children, with independence extending beyond tasks directed by adults. That gives families a concrete picture of learning through doing.

The 26-place, full-time nursery forms part of St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School in Lee Bank, Birmingham. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 7 and 8 November 2023. That judgement covers the early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Choice and adult guidance share the day. Children select activities for themselves, while adults also plan teaching and help play develop through questions, prompts and resources. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives this a clear purpose: learning to communicate, manage feelings and become physically independent sits alongside early reading, number work, creativity and understanding the world.

Development Matters informs the approach. Staff observe children's interests and discuss them with families, then use that understanding to shape learning. For parents, this means a child's curiosity helps determine what happens next, alongside the skills adults intend to teach.

Outdoor space is freely accessible to children. Learning can therefore extend beyond the classroom rather than depend entirely on a separate outdoor activity. Topics also use real objects to give children something concrete to explore and discuss.

Number work has included making numberblocks and counting through movement. During NSPCC Number Day, nursery activities involved steps, stamps and claps, linking numbers to actions children could perform. In November 2023, early years children were also developing vocabulary through remembrance activities, including learning the meaning of shelter. Practical activity has a language purpose too.

An induction meeting gives every family an initial opportunity to discuss their child. Regular parent meetings follow, alongside an open-door approach to communication. This provides both a planned starting conversation and further opportunities to share how a child is getting on.

Early intervention is part of the EYFS approach, with learning planned around individual needs and outside agencies involved where necessary. The school's SEND information includes Birmingham's Local Offer and home resources for communication and language. Families whose children already receive support from the NHS BCHC+ Speech and Language Therapist are given targets to use at home, connecting family practice with specialist input.

Nursery lunches are provided through the school's meal arrangements. Switching between school meals and packed lunches happens by the week, with changes handled through the office. Families should plan the week's lunch choice together and contact the school for current meal charges.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal local authority route and meet the applicable deadline.

A supplementary information form serves a different purpose: it helps the governing body rank applications against the admission criteria. It does not replace the local authority application. Keeping these two steps distinct matters even when a child already attends the nursery.

Full-time provision is the nursery's stated pattern. Uniform is expected for all children, so clothing is part of preparing for the nursery day as well as for later school life.

For enquiries, contact the school office on 0121 692 1051 or email enquiry@stcathrc.bham.sch.uk. Admissions enquiries can go to admissions@stcathrc.bham.sch.uk. The school is on Great Colmore Street, Birmingham, B15 2AY, giving families a specific location for planning their journey.