St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy Nursery

Learning to share, waiting for a turn and helping classmates give this nursery its clearest character. At the inspection on 21 and 22 March 2023, two- and three-year-olds were developing these everyday social habits and showing kindness towards one another. For a young child, those small exchanges matter: play involves other people as well as toys and activities.

The nursery forms part of St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy, a Catholic primary school on Lightwood Avenue in Blackpool. It includes provision for two-year-olds. This is a school nursery, with early learning connected to the curriculum that follows, rather than a separate childcare setting.

Building on what children already know was a feature of early-years teaching in March 2023. Teachers planned activities around earlier learning and checked what children could remember. The practical value is continuity: an activity has a learning purpose, and teachers can use children's responses to decide what needs further attention.

Early-years staff and curriculum leaders also worked together on the learning sequence. That connects the nursery's teaching with later learning within the school. For parents, the useful distinction is between simply completing an activity and gaining knowledge that a child can return to and use again.

Social learning had a concrete place alongside this teaching. Younger children were encouraged to share and take turns, and they willingly helped others. These are everyday opportunities to practise being part of a group: accepting another child's turn, sharing something wanted and responding to a classmate's needs.

Settling was a positive feature in March 2023: children adjusted well to nursery. That matters for families making the first move into a school setting, because becoming comfortable with the class is part of being ready to participate in its learning and play.

Across the school, additional needs were recognised early, with parents involved in conversations about their child. Teachers changed activities and curriculum teaching so that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities could participate with classmates. These were school-wide arrangements, relevant to understanding the support surrounding the nursery rather than a separate nursery assessment.

Safeguarding was also assessed across the school in March 2023. Staff received regular training, understood how to raise and record concerns, and leaders acted promptly. Work with outside partners brought specialist support to children and families who needed it. This gives the nursery a wider school structure for responding to concerns.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the applicable deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the later school application as separate decisions; being familiar with the school does not itself secure admission.

The school address is Lightwood Avenue, Blackpool, FY4 2AU. The telephone contact is 01253403232. For families considering the nursery, these provide a direct school contact and a concrete location to factor into the daily journey.