St John Vianney's Catholic Primary School Nursery, Blackpool

Two half-week patterns or a full week give this nursery a clear rhythm. At St John Vianney's Catholic Primary School in Blackpool, nursery provision runs in term time, with 15-hour and 30-hour booking blocks. For families choosing care for three and four year olds, the practical distinction is important: attendance follows fixed patterns rather than individually chosen hours.

Mornings run from 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoons begin at 12:15pm and finish at 3:15pm. The first half-week pattern combines Monday and Tuesday sessions with Wednesday morning. The second starts on Wednesday afternoon and continues through Thursday and Friday. Full-time children attend both sessions each day, with lunchtime care an optional addition.

Catholic teaching gives the early years learning a distinct focus. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children explore what makes them unique, differences in talents and abilities, and caring for their bodies. Learning about relationships includes family and friends, forgiveness and saying sorry. These are concrete topics for helping young children think about themselves and how they treat others.

Lunch can be a packed lunch or a school meal. Families supply information about allergies and dietary needs, alongside medical conditions and prescribed medication. School meals require advance booking and payment through the School Payment System; children who qualify for Free School Meals are not charged for the meal.

Nursery staff have Makaton training, and early years staff have received training from Early Excellence. Across the school, support facilities include a sensory room and a Nurture room focused on communication and interaction. These are school facilities, so a child's individual support arrangements matter more than assuming every nursery child uses them.

For children on the SEND register, parents are invited to termly discussions reviewing support. Families also provide details of existing professional involvement and the help their child may need, giving staff information to use when planning provision.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Blackpool Council's normal admissions process. For September 2027 entry, the deadline is 15 January 2027, and applications can be made online through Blackpool Primary School Admissions. Nursery attendance itself confers no priority under the 2027–28 arrangements.

Families applying under the specified faith or looked-after categories are also requested to return a Supplementary Information Form to the school office by 15 January 2027. This is separate from the council application.

Transition support includes visits, conversations between settings and shared transition documents. Extra visits may be arranged where needed, and children who need them can have transition books. Familiarisation helps children prepare for a change; it does not alter the admissions decision.

The 15-hour entitlement for three and four year olds is applied after the school receives a signed grant form. Eligible families can receive up to 30 funded hours. They must have a valid eligibility code by the end of the month before a new term starts, supply it before their child starts a full-time place and renew it regularly. Additional nursery hours are chargeable where the extended funding does not apply.

Lunchtime care. The half-hour between sessions falls outside the funded nursery hours and carries an optional charge. Families can instead collect at 11:45am and return at 12:15pm. School meals are a separate charge unless the child qualifies for Free School Meals; ask the school for current charges.

Uniform includes a nursery sweatshirt and polo shirt, with a plain white polo permitted. Skirts, dresses and tracksuit bottoms can be bought from local suppliers or supermarkets. For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01253 311248 or email admin@sjvprimary.co.uk.