St Bartholomew’s Nursery, Great Harwood

Small groups, play and a key worker approach shape nursery life at St Bartholomew’s. Children can join from age three, with a qualified teacher working alongside the nursery staff. This is the school’s own nursery in Great Harwood, within a Church of England primary school, so its early learning sits within a Christian ethos.

The nursery encourages compassion, kindness and respect. Its emphasis is on children becoming comfortable with school life through relationships and familiar routines. Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 19 and 20 September 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision.

Play and discovery give the curriculum its shape. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together physical development, communication and children’s emotional and social growth, alongside early literacy, maths, creative expression and understanding their surroundings. For parents, that means learning extends beyond reading and numbers to talking, relationships and movement.

Indoor and outdoor provision give children different spaces for exploration. Small groups allow staff to adapt learning around children’s interests and needs. The nursery aims to develop vocabulary, creativity and an interest in reading and writing, using topics children recognise alongside less familiar themes that encourage discovery. It also encourages children to keep trying, make connections and choose how to approach a task.

In September 2023, most children in early years were developing secure phonics knowledge. There were qualifications to the positive picture: curriculum planning in some subjects and learning areas still needed completion, leaving occasional gaps in learning. Some pupils also needed more effective checking of misconceptions and better phonics catch-up support. These were school improvement issues, rather than findings confined to nursery children.

A key worker approach gives care a personal structure. Staff work with families during settling, while children become familiar with routines. In September 2023, early years children adjusted quickly and enjoyed established routines, a useful foundation for the first weeks away from home.

Tapestry keeps parents connected through photographs, observations and suggested next steps in learning. Stay and Learn sessions let families take part alongside their children, and Family Liaison support provides another point of contact for advice or sharing information.

Lunch has practical flexibility. Hot and cold choices rotate across three weeks, with menus changing for the autumn and summer terms. Meals are ordered during morning registration and do not need to be ordered in advance. Nursery meals are chargeable unless free school meal eligibility applies; families should contact the office about eligibility and current charges.

For additional needs, the school involves parents in discussions with the class teacher and SENDCo. Specialist referrals require parental consent. Individual education or behaviour plans identify targets and support, giving families specific ways to help at home.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process. The route is online through Lancashire County Council. For the September 2026 intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026; that cycle has passed.

Preparation for the next stage centres on familiar routines, relationships and shared experiences. The nursery aims to build children’s social and emotional confidence for that change. This preparation is separate from the allocation of Reception places.

Funded provision runs during term time. The 15-hour options are mornings from 9am to noon, Monday to Friday, or afternoons from noon to 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday. The 30-hour pattern runs from 9am to 3.30pm Monday to Thursday and finishes at noon on Friday. Friday’s shorter day matters when arranging care around work.

Both funded options depend on eligibility. Additional paid sessions depend on space, so families should discuss availability with the office and request their preferred sessions on the nursery application. The completed form goes to the school office, with a birth certificate to confirm the child’s date of birth. Visits can also be arranged.

School Money handles invoices, which are issued ahead of each half term. Payment is due at the half term’s start and expected within its first week. Contact the office for current session charges or enquiries on 01254 884534 or office@st-barts.lancs.sch.uk.