St Mary's RC Primary School Pre-School Review

A purpose-built pre-school unit, daily phonics and access to Forest School give St Mary's youngest children a distinct base within the primary school. This is provision for three- and four-year-olds on the school premises in Brierley Hill, with both full-time and part-time attendance patterns. Catholic faith shapes the experience, including prayers and weekly religious education.

The team comprises a pre-school leader, deputy manager and teaching assistant. Children have their own unit but also use the school's hall, field and shared EYFS outdoor area: the nursery day extends beyond its classroom.

Play leads the learning, with adult-guided activities alongside time for exploration. Planning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework and Development Matters, taking account of children's interests and their next learning steps. In everyday terms, that means staff observe children's play and use what they see to plan further activities.

The example morning starts at 8.50am with children putting away their belongings, registering themselves and working on activities for their hands and fingers. Prayer and the register follow, then phonics, a story or topic introduction, and a longer period of play with adult support. Fruit, maths and outdoor learning come before stories and rhymes. The afternoon returns to a story or topic, play and another story session; timings can change for PE or religious education.

Little Wandle Foundations Phonics happens daily, developing listening, awareness of sounds and early recognition of letters. White Rose Maths also has daily input, covering counting, number, measure and shape. Daily fine-motor work prepares hands for writing, while twice-weekly PE adds planned physical activity. The field, Forest School and outdoor EYFS space give children several places to move and explore.

At the March 2023 inspection, early-years children enjoyed songs and stories, developed independence and had positive relationships with adults. The same inspection identified a weakness in the order of early-years learning: knowledge, vocabulary and skills did not consistently build towards the intended goals, limiting achievement in some areas. For parents, the useful distinction is between children's engagement and how systematically learning develops.

Settling begins before the first regular session. Visits last around one hour, parents can remain with their child, and extra sessions can be arranged according to individual readiness. This allows the start to respond to the child rather than follow a fixed number of visits.

Fresh fruit and bagels are provided for snacks; children staying all day bring a healthy packed lunch. A small bag should contain a drink, spare clothing and any nappies, wipes or creams needed. Wellies stay at pre-school for outdoor activities, keeping the practical kit ready for use.

For additional needs, the school plans individual provision with families and other agencies. Its SEND coordinator is a qualified teacher with the National Award of Special Education Needs Coordination. School access includes a single-storey building, wheelchair access to the grounds and a disabled toilet. All pre-school staff receive safeguarding training and pass concerns to designated safeguarding leads; parents can raise a concern with any staff member.

Pre-school attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives nursery-based priority. Families must make a separate application, and children are considered against the same oversubscription criteria whether or not they attend the pre-school. Choosing the nursery therefore needs to make sense for the nursery experience itself.

For September 2027 entry, apply through the local authority where you live, naming St Mary's, by 15th January 2027. A Supplementary Information Form must also reach the school by that date. These are separate tasks: returning the school form does not complete the local authority application.

Morning sessions run from 8.50am to 11.50am, afternoons from 11.50am to 2.50pm, and full days from 8.50am to 2.50pm. The 15-hour funded pattern can be five mornings or two and a half days agreed individually; eligible children can attend the full week using 30 funded hours. Funding begins in the term after a child's third birthday. Paid sessions and top-ups are also offered; contact the school for current charges.

To register interest, arrange a visit through the school office and collect a Registration Form. Call 01384 985005 or email enquiry_stmarys@emmausmac.com. Uniform includes a pale blue polo, navy sweatshirt or cardigan, and grey trousers or skirt, with logos optional. Children may wear PE kit on PE days, and belongings should be labelled.