Paternoster School Nursery Review

Small steps shape the early years at Paternoster: learning follows each child's needs, with personalised profiles guiding how staff teach. Children can join the early years class from their second birthday. The provision sits within a special school on Watermoor Road in Cirencester, supporting children with severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties.

This is specialist education from the outset. Early years entrants must have special educational needs identified by health or education services and a referral from the local authority. For families, the important distinction is that the class belongs to a school built around individual learning and support needs.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the early learning framework. Children follow Development Matters strands through Paternoster's topics, while staff use individual profiles to choose suitable teaching approaches. Learning therefore combines a shared theme with a personal route through it, rather than expecting children to progress identically.

Communication receives attention throughout the day. Across the school, learning targets are divided into small steps, and teaching adaptations can include extra time to process information, individual work and visual timetables. These arrangements give children different ways to take part and make their needs understood.

The wider school has sensory gardens, playgrounds and a sensory room, alongside a library and hydrotherapy pool. These provide different spaces for activity and sensory experiences. Daily timings respond to children's needs and the activities planned; the school day is not organised around an inflexible sequence for every child.

Class teachers work alongside Learning Partners, who support children individually and in small groups. Speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists can be involved when needed. That links classroom support with specialist advice rather than treating learning needs in isolation.

Settling can be tailored. New pupils are invited to transition days, with extra days or an individual transition arrangement possible according to their needs. This gives families a way to introduce school gradually.

Earwig learning journeys keep families connected with progress. Teachers meet families three times a year to agree and review education, health and care plan (EHCP) outcomes and discuss support. Between meetings, the class teacher is the contact for concerns. A Family Support Worker also helps parents with matters such as behaviour at home and access to other services.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Contact the local authority about your child's next placement and any application steps required.

Paternoster's admissions are managed by the local authority; early years entry is handled by the EY Exceptional Planning Group. Keep the next placement decision separate from settling and transition activities. The school also plans support for moves between classes, helping children prepare for changes in their learning group.

The school opens at 9:15 am and finishes at 3:15 pm. Uniform is optional, and generic or second-hand items are accepted. Clothing and activity kit should carry the child's name, making personal belongings easier to identify.

Parents can arrange a personalised visit through the administration team on 01285 652480. An enquiry form provides another contact route. A visit offers an opportunity to discuss how the specialist provision relates to the child's identified needs before a local authority referral.