Sunbeams Nursery at St John's Catholic Primary School, Burscough

Mud pies, den building and changing seasons give Sunbeams its outdoor character. For children aged three and four, the nursery combines its own unit with spaces shared with Reception at St John's Catholic Primary School. The school field, forest area and mud kitchen extend children's play beyond the classroom.

Sunbeams belongs to a foundation unit, so familiarity with the next classroom starts during nursery. That is a practical transition benefit, separate from getting a school place. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 2 and 3 February 2023; this is an early years judgement within the school inspection.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides planning. In parent terms, learning includes movement, conversation and relationships alongside early reading, mathematics, creative expression and exploring the world. Free play sits alongside activities led or modelled by adults, giving children both choices and a structure to their day.

Morning registration and an introduction begin at 9am, followed by play, roleplay and planned activities. Tidying precedes the 10:15am snack, then the mud kitchen and outdoor learning occupy the next part of the morning. Before lunch, children have rhymes, songs, stories and phonics. Nursery phonics includes recognising Set 1 sounds and combining sounds into words, with pictures and rhymes helping children remember them.

After lunch, another introduction leads into play and activities. The afternoon timetable includes outdoor learning, forest time, PE and the library, before a story and preparations for home between 2:45pm and 3pm.

Large loose parts let children construct places to cross or conceal themselves. Hunting for small creatures and watching seasonal changes bring the natural world into their play; the forest also provides space for dens and hide-and-seek. These are concrete opportunities to build, investigate and move.

A nursery manager forms part of the staffing structure. Families can arrange a taster session, giving their child an introduction to Sunbeams before joining.

Lunch is at noon for children staying all day or attending the afternoon session. Families can send a packed lunch or choose a school meal, prepared freshly on site by the catering team. Children eat together, and school dinners can be chosen day by day and ordered at drop-off. Daily toast and fruit are provided. Sunbeams is nut-free, which matters when packing food.

Parents supply nappies, wipes and creams. For additional needs, families can contact the school's SEN coordinator by email or telephone. The school's Early Help offer also includes advice about SEND and family difficulties, with access to the Lancashire Family Hub Network. This gives parents a route into support alongside their child's nursery care.

Sharing spaces with Reception helps nursery children become familiar with the setting and develop relationships with Reception staff. Familiar people and surroundings can make the move less abrupt.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Lancashire County Council and meet the normal application deadline. Treat the shared foundation unit as preparation for the move, rather than an assurance of admission.

Sunbeams operates during term time, Monday to Friday. Morning and afternoon sessions run from 9am to noon and noon to 3pm; a 9am to 3pm day is also offered. Extended patterns can begin at 7:45am or finish at 5:30pm, allowing families to combine nursery with breakfast and after-school care. Breakfast club uses the school hall; after-school care has a dedicated room in the infant section.

Funded provision begins in the term following a child's third birthday: 15 hours cover five sessions, while eligible families can receive 30 hours. Additional hours, school lunches and optional events carry separate charges; contact the school for current charges. Session requests go on the admission form. After-school club bookings use SCOPAY and should be made before the attendance day; same-day requests go through the office.

Home clothes or school uniform are both permitted. Wellies and a wet suit are suitable for outdoor play. For nursery enquiries or a taster session, call 01704 893523.