Christ The King Catholic Academy Nursery

Writing a name for registration and serving a snack turn ordinary routines into learning at Christ The King Catholic Academy’s nursery. Independence gets practical attention here. With 26 places for children aged three and above, this is the nursery provision within a Catholic primary academy in Blackpool, rather than a separate childcare setting. The school’s aim is for children to develop their talents within a community of faith.

Play and adult teaching work together. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach combines carpet teaching, in small groups or with the whole group, with activities guided by adults and play children pursue themselves. Themes change across the academic year and respond to children’s interests, with chosen books and resources connecting the learning. Nursery children’s development is supported using Development Matter guidance.

Both outdoor and indoor areas provide resources children can return to during play. These spaces let them practise something introduced by an adult or follow an interest of their own. Everyday tasks count too: dressing themselves, registering by writing their name, helping themselves to snack and putting classroom resources away give children reasons to use practical and mathematical skills.

Language receives explicit attention. Adults extend children’s sentences and repeat words to build vocabulary and understanding. Reading begins in Nursery: Ofsted’s December 2022 inspection identified it as a priority from that starting point. Children also learnt turn-taking and listening in early years. The curriculum, including early years, was ambitious, although a small number of subjects needed clearer decisions about what children should learn and when, making achievement harder to assess in those subjects.

In December 2022, early years children settled promptly and became familiar with routines. Home visits, parents’ evenings and conversations with staff support the relationship between families and the early years team. Tapestry records learning milestones, while Class DoJo provides another route for communication. These give parents ways to share in learning beyond the nursery session.

Support for communication has specific staffing behind it. Multilingual assistants spend dedicated time in early years helping children who are learning English as an additional language. Children needing extra speech and language help receive support from early years practitioners and an assistant trained in speech and language therapy. Additional help can include revisiting ideas differently, extra adult input and involving parents, so support can respond to the child’s needs.

Lunch arrangements include full-day options with or without lunch. For children using the 30 Hours Entitlement, a school meal carries a charge, while bringing a packed lunch carries no lunch charge. Families eligible for Free School Meals have the lunch charge removed.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application to Blackpool Local Authority and submit it by the deadline for their admission year. Treat that application as a separate task even while your child is attending nursery. Familiarity with school life does not replace the application process.

Full-day nursery sessions are offered, and families can purchase additional sessions after using their child’s 15 hours of Free Early Education Entitlement. Session charges also apply to families who are not eligible for that support. Ask the school for current charges, which are reviewed annually.

Nursery applications use an online application route. For enquiries, telephone 01253 395985. Payments use an online service, with login details supplied when a child begins nursery sessions. This puts session payments into a separate practical routine alongside the child’s start.