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Nursery at St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Osbaldeston
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Daily outdoor play and a place in Willow Class give St Mary's Pre-School its character. Children join from the term after turning three, sharing the school's early years class with Reception children. This is nursery provision within St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Osbaldeston, with Catholic school life forming its wider context.
Willow Class combines brief teaching activities led by adults with play that children choose themselves. For parents, that means a day with both direction and room for exploration. The outdoor learning space is used each day, whatever the weather, making movement and discovery part of the routine.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for learning before age five. Here, play and practical experiences support language, physical skills and children's emotional and social development. Adults help children extend what they can do through interaction and exploration, rather than making the day a sequence of formal lessons.
Pathways to Write introduces picture books with activities suited to children aged three and four. Speaking, listening and understanding that marks convey meaning come before more developed writing. The emphasis gives early literacy a clear purpose: helping children communicate.
Clem and Crab provides one example of how a theme connects activities. Ocean habitats and sea creatures extend the theme into learning about the natural world and caring for the environment and each other. Pre-School children arrange pictures to retell a story, identify sounds around them and choose instruments to accompany stories or rhymes. Counting songs build familiarity with numbers to five. Children also copy alternating patterns and recognise small quantities through fingers, sounds and practical resources, linking early maths to things they can hear, move and handle.
Rainbow Challenges add concrete examples: exploring clay, naming flat shapes and explaining feelings such as anger or happiness. These tasks bring creative, mathematical and emotional learning into play. Indoors and outdoors are both learning spaces; daily PE clothing supports that active approach. At the May 2022 inspection, children across Nursery and Reception were playing contentedly and safely outdoors.
An EYFS teacher and early years support staff form the classroom team. The teacher also holds a deputy designated safeguarding lead role, connecting the early years classroom with the school's safeguarding structure.
Wellbeing teaching includes myHappymind from Pre-School onwards, covering resilience, mental health and understanding oneself. This gives emotional development an explicit place alongside language and number work. For additional needs, the school's support system includes a SENCO, progress reviews and adjustments to learning. Early Help can connect families with speech and language therapists or continence services, giving parents routes to support beyond the classroom.
School meals require advance booking through School Spider for each half term. Parents choose from three menu options; children need a packed lunch when meals have not been booked. That makes lunch planning a practical part of preparing for the day. Parents can contact teachers through parents@smrc.lancs.sch.uk and the SENCO through SENCO@smrc.lancs.sch.uk.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Lancashire's online primary school application route. For entry in the 2027/28 academic year, the deadline is 15 January 2027. Treat that application as a separate task, even when your child already attends Pre-School.
The classroom arrangement offers continuity: Willow Class includes both Pre-School and Reception. Familiarity with the setting is distinct from the admissions decision.
The standard Pre-School day runs from 8.45am to 3.15pm. Entry requires a completed nursery application pack, and prospective families can arrange a visit through the school office. General enquiries go to 01254 812543 or bursar@smrc.lancs.sch.uk.
Children in early years wear the school PE uniform daily so they can take part in indoor and outdoor activities. Pre-loved uniform is available in the office reception area. This makes clothing preparation straightforward and keeps the focus on clothes suited to movement and play.
Children can join from the term after their third birthday. A completed nursery application pack is required.
The standard day is 8.45am to 3.15pm.
Yes. Willow Class uses its outdoor learning space daily in all weather conditions.
No. Reception requires a separate application through Lancashire's online primary school application route. The deadline for the 2027/28 academic year is 15 January 2027.
School meals should be booked through School Spider for each half term, choosing from three menu options. A packed lunch is required if meals have not been booked in advance.
