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Nursery at St Monica's Catholic Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Books, spoken language and learning to share give St Monica's nursery its clearest character. This is the nursery provision within St Monica's Catholic Primary School in Bootle, with nursery and infant accommodation linked in the school's accessibility arrangements. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good following its inspection on 4 and 5 February 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Enjoyment of books starts in the Nursery Year. In February 2025, early years teaching helped children make a positive beginning to school, while children learned classroom routines and responded to instructions from adults. Cooperation mattered too: sharing and taking turns were part of learning to work alongside others. These are practical foundations for joining a group and participating in its activities.
Reading has a named place in the school's approach through daily St Monica’s Reading Time. The curriculum overview also references the EYFS Statutory Framework and Development Matters. For parents, the concrete early years examples are learning to communicate, becoming familiar with routines and developing an interest in books.
Kingsley & Co brought its Book Club to the school during 2024/25, with nursery children among those attending. That gives the emphasis on reading a specific experience beyond the classroom's usual activities. Half-termly parent curriculum guides include a nursery link, giving families a way to follow what children are learning and support it at home.
Language development receives specific attention in nursery. Children are assessed on both their understanding of speech and their ability to express themselves. This gives staff a basis for recognising where communication needs further support, rather than relying only on how readily a child joins in.
For children with SEND, the school's support model uses a Graduated Response: staff assess needs, plan support, put it into practice and review it. Termly teacher meetings provide a point for discussing progress with parents. Learning adaptations. The February 2025 inspection identified a school-wide concern that some teachers lacked the information needed to adapt activities adequately for a minority of children with SEND. Families should discuss how their child's needs will be translated into nursery activities.
Physical access is also concrete. The nursery and infant department have a ramp, wide doors and an accessible toilet, features that matter for children with mobility needs. School arrangements for medical needs include care plans developed with parents and nursing professionals. The safeguarding team includes responsibility for EYFS safeguarding, and families can contact it at safeguarding.stmonicas@schools.sefton.gov.uk.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at St Monica's. Families must make a separate application through Sefton's Citizen Portal, and applications are ranked against the school's admission criteria. For the September 2026 intake, the deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle is now past. The admissions process also calls for a Supplementary Faith Form and supporting faith documentation to be returned to the school.
Classroom familiarity is a separate matter from admission. The school's transition arrangements give children opportunities to meet their next teacher and visit their new classroom. Extra visits can be arranged where needed; individual preparation may include a picture book showing the room and staff. For a child who needs more preparation, this provides something tangible to revisit with parents over the summer.
Families whose child is under three can request a nursery application form from the school office throughout the school year. Completed forms require the original full birth certificate, a recent utility bill as proof of residence and evidence of baptism if it has taken place. Families allocated a place are contacted in April for a September start, or October or November for a January start, depending on places and numbers.
Autumn school tours can be arranged by ringing the office. Contact the team on 0151 525 1245 or email finance.stmonicas@schools.sefton.gov.uk to begin an enquiry or arrange a visit.
No. A separate Reception application is required through Sefton, and applications are ranked against the school's admission criteria.
Contact the school office on 0151 525 1245 or finance.stmonicas@schools.sefton.gov.uk. Families whose child is under three can request a nursery application form throughout the school year.
Nursery assessments consider children's understanding of spoken language and how they express themselves, helping staff identify communication support needs.
The nursery and infant department have a ramp, wide doors and an accessible toilet.
School transition arrangements include classroom and teacher visits, with extra visits where needed. Individual plans may use pictures of the new room and staff to support preparation at home.
