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Nursery at Holy Souls Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Thirteen places in a morning and thirteen in an afternoon give Tiddly Tots @ Holy Souls its small-session character. This is the pre-school provision at Holy Souls Roman Catholic Primary School Blackburn, serving three- and four-year-olds with approximately 26 places across the two sessions. It operates in term time, so the rhythm follows school terms rather than year-round childcare.
The school's early years provision received a Good judgement at the Ofsted inspection on 8 and 9 February 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Children's interests shape the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach. Holy Souls aims to encourage curiosity, independence and enjoyment of learning, recognising that children arrive with different experiences and starting points. In parent language, the emphasis is on building from what a child already knows and wants to explore.
Indoor and outdoor learning provision gives children opportunities to investigate and develop their skills. The school describes an approach that makes room for imagination and creativity, with children's interests influencing the opportunities offered. This gives exploration a purpose: children can pursue an interest while extending what they can do.
In February 2023, children across the school's early years learned well. Encouragement from adults helped them develop confidence and persist when learning became difficult.
Partnership with parents forms part of the school's EYFS approach throughout the year. The aim is to support children's learning together, connecting their experiences at home with their development in the setting.
Lunch arrangements depend on the booking pattern. Children attending full time can have a charged school lunch or bring food from home. Those attending only a morning or afternoon session do not stay for lunch. For families, that makes the meal decision part of choosing the length of the day.
Attending Tiddly Tots does not guarantee a Reception place at Holy Souls. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet its normal deadline. Blackburn with Darwen School Admission is the route for school admissions information. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two separate decisions.
Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am; afternoons run from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. A 15-hour funded place must use the same session throughout the week, choosing mornings or afternoons. Families cannot divide those hours between the two.
Booking flexibility. Extra hours are accepted as a full-time pattern, rather than adding selected longer days to a part-time week. This matters if work commitments vary from day to day.
A 30-hour place can involve paid hours where the child is not entitled to 30 funded hours. Ask the school for current charges. Eligibility codes must be reconfirmed every three months. To apply for Tiddly Tots, complete the pre-school application form and return it to school; enquiries can go to office@holysouls.blackburn.sch.uk or 01254 249892.
The pre-school caters for three- and four-year-olds, with approximately 26 places: 13 in the morning and 13 in the afternoon.
Morning sessions are 8.45am to 11.45am, and afternoon sessions are 12.15pm to 3.15pm. The pre-school operates during term time only.
A 15-hour funded place uses either mornings throughout the week or afternoons throughout the week. The hours cannot be split between those patterns.
Full-time children can have a charged school lunch or bring a packed lunch. Children attending only mornings or only afternoons do not stay for lunch.
No. Attendance at Tiddly Tots does not guarantee admission to Holy Souls Reception. A separate Reception application is required through the normal admissions process.
