St Theresa's Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Uninterrupted play and shared stories shape the nursery at St Theresa’s, with adult-guided activities woven between periods when children follow their own interests. This is Foundation Stage 1, the nursery class within the Catholic primary school in Blacon, Chester, for children aged three and four. Entry begins in the term following a child’s third birthday.

Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 8 and 9 May 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Children have time to stay with an idea. Sessions combine longer stretches of play chosen by children with activities organised by adults and opportunities to learn together. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach here gives priority to movement, speaking and listening, and learning to manage feelings and relationships. For parents, that means the day attends to how children communicate and cooperate alongside what they learn.

Early reading begins with listening and language. Nursery activities include poems, factual books, stories, rhymes and songs, with listening games leading towards hearing how spoken words can be split into sounds and put together again. Ready Steady Phonics is the school’s named programme; the nursery’s preparation centres on these foundations. In May 2024, children enjoyed their stories and rhymes, which helped prepare them for learning letter sounds.

Creative exploration also has a place. Art activities remain accessible through EYFS provision, while design activities encourage experimenting with texture, colour, materials and tools. Science learning involves examining objects through the senses, noticing changes and discussing discoveries. These give children several ways to express ideas and discuss what they discover.

A classroom book corner provides another route into stories, with books selected around topics and recent shared reading. Wednesday brings the nursery’s PE session, so children need clothes and footwear suitable for movement. Homework packs go home on Wednesdays and return the following Monday, giving families a regular connection with classroom learning.

Teaching consistency. The May 2024 inspection called for better choices of teaching activities and stronger subject leadership, including support for consistent curriculum delivery across early years and the school. Families should read the positive early years judgement alongside those improvement priorities.

A teacher is assigned to Foundation Stage 1. Preparation for starting school centres on practical independence: recognising a printed name, dressing, playing with other children and managing cutlery. Teachers help children make the adjustment from home to school, while families are encouraged to share worries with them. In May 2024, early years children were becoming familiar with routines and developing independence and persistence.

Fruit, milk and drinking water are provided each day in nursery. Children bring their own water bottle, which goes home for cleaning, and spare clothes stay in a bag on their peg. For lunchtime, the school offers an Edsential meal or the option of bringing a packed lunch. Payments use ParentPay, with account details supplied when a child starts nursery.

For concerns about additional needs, the class teacher is the first contact; the school office can arrange a SENCo appointment. The school’s SEND information describes support in small groups or individually where appropriate, and access to specialist advice. Its arrangements include teacher and SENCo review meetings at changes between year groups, helping pass on learning needs and successful support strategies.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Cheshire West and Chester Council, using its online application route or admissions telephone service. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

The practical preparation is useful in its own right: shared reading, clearer speech, dressing independently and playing alongside other children all feature in the school’s readiness advice. These are preparation for the next stage, not an admissions advantage.

Morning nursery runs from 8:55am to 11:55am according to the term-dates timetable. All-day collection is listed there as 2:55pm, while the school-day timetable gives 3pm. Confirm which collection time applies before arranging childcare around it. Nursery children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

The admissions page offers up to 15 funded hours each week. The nursery also describes an additional 15 hours for eligible working families, with paperwork handled by the office. Ask the school for current charges for meals and nursery extras before committing to a pattern.

Nursery application forms can be obtained from the office or completed using the attached application form. Enquiries go to 01244 470860 or admin@st-theresas.cheshire.sch.uk. Bring weather-appropriate clothing as well as the water bottle and spare clothes; in hot weather, the nursery asks for sunscreen applied beforehand and a sun hat.