St Margaret Mary Catholic Primary School, Carlisle: Nursery Review

Lunch at 11:45am in the school Hall gives this nursery a concrete connection to primary-school life. St Margaret Mary’s nursery belongs to a Catholic academy within the Mater Christi Multi Academy Trust. Nursery teachers work within an EYFS team that also includes teaching assistants.

Ofsted judged early years provision Inadequate at the inspection on 8 and 9 October 2024. That judgement concerns early years across the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together early learning and personal development. Here, its seven areas cover language and communication, physical skills, emotional and social development, literacy, mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world. For parents, that means learning encompasses relationships and self-care alongside the beginnings of reading, writing and number work.

In October 2024, nursery children had opportunities for rhymes and books shared with adults. However, early-years learning lacked a clear sequence, and the day lacked routines that protected learning from interruptions. Early reading also required attention: children who fell behind were identified too slowly, and help did not reliably address their difficulties.

By February 2026, changes to outdoor provision, learning resources and daily routines were starting to benefit children’s experiences. A new curriculum was also beginning to develop their knowledge across the learning areas. At the monitoring inspection on 11 and 12 February 2026, leaders and trustees were taking effective action, but the school remained in special measures. The remaining concerns were substantial. Identified gaps were closing slowly, teaching needed better adjustment for children with SEND or low starting points, and adult conversations needed to do more to develop children’s thinking. Families should weigh those concerns alongside the changes to provision.

Nursery lunch starts at 11:45am, with children eating in the Hall. Meals follow a menu cycle lasting three weeks, and families choose and pay through Arbor. Breakfast is provided for all children when they reach school, and a free healthy snack is offered at breaktime. Food therefore has a place in the shared school routine.

For additional needs, the SENDCo can be contacted through the School Office. The school’s pastoral provision includes Emotional Literacy, Lego Therapy and Zones of Regulation; parents are consulted and their consent obtained before an intervention begins. These are school support options, rather than a promise that each nursery child receives them.

Support for learning. In February 2026, early-years teaching still needed more suitable adaptations for children with SEND. Families considering additional support should give this concern considerable weight.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; the school directs applicants to Cumberland Council School Admissions.

Treat joining the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions. Familiarity with the school does not remove the need to apply again or to meet the normal application deadline.

Visits can be arranged by calling 01228 401800. The school welcomes enquiries from families of any faith or background, giving parents a direct route to see the provision before making a decision.

School collection takes place in the school yard. Parents expecting to be late must contact the office beforehand; a child still waiting at 3:30pm is moved to After-School Club and a charge applies. Contact the school for current charges. This collection rule matters when planning who will collect your child and how delays will be handled.