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Nursery at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Shape puzzles, garden growing and explicitly taught manners give this nursery its school-based character. St Joseph's takes children from 3 years old within its Catholic primary school on Hillcrest Road, Dudley. The school aims for Catholic teaching and practice to shape daily life, so families should be comfortable with that religious character.
Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 7 and 8 January 2025. That judgement covers the early years provision within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Early learning combines knowledge with practical habits. In January 2025, early years children were learning shape vocabulary through tangrams, giving mathematical language a concrete purpose as they worked with shapes. The early years curriculum prepares children for their next stage through the knowledge and skills they acquire.
The St. Joseph's Way adds explicit teaching of behaviour, with expectations adjusted for children's ages and SEND needs. Children practise sharing equipment, including others in play and expressing thanks. Sessions after holiday breaks use practical tasks, such as handling cutlery, to help children resume routines and develop social skills.
Outside, the Bible Garden gives every year group an area to cultivate. Flowers, vegetables and fruit grow there, alongside a bug hotel intended to encourage wildlife. This brings growing and observing nature into school life. Indoors, the EYFS classroom has an accessible toilet, a concrete adaptation for children with physical needs.
The January 2025 inspection also identified inconsistent checks of understanding across the school curriculum, meaning some gaps and misunderstandings could go unaddressed. This was a school-wide improvement point, rather than a finding explicitly restricted to nursery teaching.
Starting nursery includes a home visit from EYFS staff, allowing parents to discuss concerns before their child begins. Parent meetings also introduce routines and learning, while staff update personal information about the child. These conversations give families an opportunity to explain needs early.
A nursery teacher works within a structure that includes an EYFS lead and the school's SENCO. In January 2025, relationships established in early years helped staff recognise children's needs promptly. For children receiving SEN support, families contribute to planning and termly reviews of Learning Support Plans. Speech and language services and Specialist Early Years support can be involved where needed.
At lunchtime, children in EYFS are explicitly taught how to handle a knife and fork. School lunch choices include sandwiches and jacket potatoes with cheese and beans. Food therefore provides another opportunity to practise everyday independence alongside eating.
Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives additional admissions priority. Families must make a separate application, and nursery children are considered against the same criteria as other applicants.
For September 2027 entry, apply through the local authority where you live, naming St Joseph's, by 15 January 2027. Return the Supplementary Information Form directly to the school by that date too. Both steps matter.
Transition support is separate from allocation. The school's end-of-year arrangements include time with the next teacher in the new classroom and picture books to share over summer. Children with SEN receive additional familiarisation time.
Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am, afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, and the 30-hour option runs from 8:30am to 2:30pm for children entitled to government funding. Session preferences are requests, so families should plan around the place actually offered.
The 2024/25 nursery arrangements included fully funded 15-hour morning or afternoon places, 30-hour funded places and paid additional hours subject to space. Contact the school for current charges.
Return the nursery application to the school office with the child's birth certificate, a baptism certificate if Catholic, and a utility bill dated within the last 3 months. Collection requires the teacher to check the collecting adult. Jewellery is prohibited in nursery.
St Joseph's takes children from 3 years old.
Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am and afternoon sessions from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The 30-hour option runs from 8:30am to 2:30pm for children entitled to government funding. Preferred sessions cannot be guaranteed.
EYFS staff make a home visit to discuss parental concerns. Meetings before children start full-time cover routines and learning, giving families time to explain their child's needs.
Parents contribute to agreed support outcomes and next steps. Learning Support Plans are reviewed termly, so families can discuss progress and adjustments to support.
No. Attendance gives no additional admissions priority. For September 2027 entry, apply through your home local authority by 15 January 2027 and return the Supplementary Information Form directly to the school by the same date.
