St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Carterton: Nursery Review

Guttering waterways, a milk-crate balancing trail and visits to the town market give Lourdes Preschool its character: learning through play, with plenty of connections to the world beyond the classroom. This is the nursery provision at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Carterton. Catholic faith and values shape its learning, alongside opportunities to explore other celebrations and experiences.

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 21 and 22 November 2023. Nursery children made a positive start with communication and language, while sharing and taking turns were taught from the outset. For families, these are useful foundations for both learning and friendships.

Development Matters guides the preschool curriculum, linked with the school’s Evolve Curriculum. The early years approach brings learning into play: children develop language, movement and relationships while investigating their surroundings. Indoors and outdoors, activities include construction, art, imaginative play and mark making. These give children different ways to express ideas and practise physical skills.

The Early Years garden provides concrete challenges. Children assemble waterways using guttering and work together on a balance trail made from wooden planks and milk crates. Bikes, tree climbing and ball games add movement; planting vegetables and flowers introduces growing and caring for living things. A mud kitchen gives imaginative play a physical setting.

A weekly session in the wild area combines nature exploration with games. Children search for bugs and flowers, with treats by the fire part of the experience too. Daily Phase One phonics uses activities and games to practise listening. In November 2023, nursery routines also included learning to listen and sit, helping children take part in learning together.

Experiences extend into Carterton. Regular outings include the library, town market and St Joseph’s church; visitors have included firefighters, dentists, police and RAF personnel. Alongside Easter, Christmas and Catholic feast days, children explore occasions such as Earth Day and Chinese New Year. Familiar places and visiting adults give conversation and play something concrete to draw on.

School support for special educational needs and disabilities includes individual interventions and additional adult help in lessons. External partners include Occupational Therapists, the Autism Outreach Team and the Educational Psychology Service. Parents meet teachers at intervals through the year to review targets, giving families a role in discussing support and progress.

School Gateway handles parent messages and school-lunch bookings. A school lunch is offered for preschool children, and eligibility for Free School Meals may apply. This combines a meal option with a practical communication route for families.

Attending Lourdes Preschool does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery attendance.

Preparation also includes discussing feelings about the move to Reception in small groups. That gives children space to talk about change; it is a learning activity, rather than an admissions advantage.

A full day runs from 8:45 to 15:00. Half-day options are 8:45 to 11:45 or 12:00 to 15:00, giving families a choice between a shorter session and the full preschool day.

Families may qualify for government funding covering 15 or 30 hours each week. Speak to the school about eligibility and current charges. For preschool enquiries or to arrange a visit with the headteacher, telephone 01993 841240 or email officemanager@sjc.oxon.sch.uk.