Holy Spirit Catholic Academy Nursery Review

Songs, stories and learning alongside other children give Holy Spirit’s nursery its character. This is the nursery provision within a Catholic primary academy on Poulsom Drive in Bootle, where the school’s age range begins at three. It belongs to the school’s early years provision rather than operating as a separate nursery.

Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 12 and 13 November 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years as a whole. The nursery-specific picture includes children learning together cooperatively, with Reception children providing examples of positive behaviour.

Language has a clear place in daily learning. In November 2024, early years children encountered songs and rhymes alongside stories, introducing vocabulary beyond their everyday conversations. That gives the activities a purpose beyond entertainment: children gain words with which to express ideas and prepare for later reading.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven connected areas of development. Talking and listening, movement, and emotional and social development form the starting point. These support learning about number, reading and writing, the wider world, and creative expression. For parents, this means the curriculum considers how children communicate and relate to others alongside what they learn.

Adults respond to children’s interests and individual needs, recognising that development happens at different speeds. Geography and history begin within Understanding the World, rather than as separate subjects. Forest school also forms part of the early years environment, adding an outdoor element to the planned learning experiences.

Catholic teaching begins in nursery through To Know You More Clearly. Scripture provides the starting point, with themes adapted to children’s stage of development and lasting half a term. Children also begin learning to form prayers during their first weeks in early years. Faith is part of the learning experience from the outset.

Early years leadership includes an EYFS lead, while the teaching team includes an EYFS and special educational needs coordinator role. Parents can contact the SENCO through the school office, giving families a route for discussing additional needs.

Across the school, emotional support includes DESTY and RULER, and learning mentors can discuss parents’ concerns about their child’s wellbeing. A mood meter helps children recognise and talk about feelings. These are school-wide arrangements, rather than a claim that every nursery child receives a particular intervention.

Magic Breakfast welcomes all children from 8.30am each day and is free. Food includes porridge, cereal, toast, bagels and baked beans, giving families a breakfast option before nursery begins.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the deadline for their entry year. Sefton Council is the route for Reception admissions information.

In November 2024, Reception children modelled positive behaviour for nursery children. This is part of the children’s learning experience; it does not establish an admissions advantage.

Nursery starts at 9am and finishes at 3pm, with gates opening at 8:40am. For children attending the 15-hour pattern, collection is at 3pm on Monday and Tuesday, then noon on Wednesday. That midweek change matters when arranging collection or coordinating work.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0151 525 7497 or email office@holyspirit.sjcmat.co.uk. A nursery admissions form is available through the school’s admissions route.