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Nursery at Our Lady Star of the Sea 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Sand, role play and outdoor learning in all weathers give this nursery its practical character. At Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School in Ellesmere Port, nursery children belong to the school’s early years provision, with a qualified teacher leading their class and qualified teaching assistants supporting it. Play has a clear place in the day.
Children join in September after turning three, and must be three before 1 September. The Catholic setting also shapes their learning. Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 6 and 7 December 2022; this was an early years judgement within the school inspection.
Children’s interests sit alongside planned teaching. The nursery combines practical play with a curriculum built around books, giving adults starting points for learning while leaving room for children’s own ideas. Communication and language are a central focus: the school aims to build independence through listening, conversation and activities children help to shape.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning about relationships, movement and communication with early literacy, mathematics, creative work and understanding the world. Development Matters and Birth to 5 Matters help shape the curriculum. For parents, this means learning extends beyond early reading and number work to managing feelings, making friends and expressing ideas.
Construction materials, water play and art activities sit alongside sand and imaginative role play. Classrooms have interactive whiteboards, too. Children spend substantial time outdoors regardless of weather, so outdoor exploration is part of learning rather than an occasional addition.
Adults encourage children to experiment, persevere and decide how to tackle a task. In December 2022, early years children were developing constructive learning habits and learning classroom routines. Religious learning starts simply: nursery children explore beliefs about creation and love, alongside stories connected with Christmas, Easter and the Church.
Before starting, families who obtain a nursery place are invited to a summer-term meeting. This gives parents a point of contact ahead of their child’s first term. In December 2022, children in the early years trusted adults to respond promptly to worries.
Support for additional needs sits within the school’s SEND provision. Activities and the physical environment can be adapted to individual needs, including creating a personal space. The class teacher is the first contact for concerns; the SENCO coordinates support and links with services such as Speech and Language Therapy and the Autism Team. Parents take part in reviewing support, helping home and school work towards shared targets.
A family support worker is available each day through the school office. School catering includes filled jacket potatoes and sandwiches with salad, with fruit or low-fat fruit yoghurt among dessert choices. Meals depend on availability, and the catering team handles allergen enquiries.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Cheshire West and Chester’s school admissions service by the normal deadline. The governing body makes admission decisions, while the local authority handles applications centrally. Keep that application separate from nursery enrolment.
For children with SEND moving between classes, information reaches the next teacher ahead of the move, including personal targets. A book explaining the change can be made when it would help the child. These arrangements support continuity of care; they do not secure admission.
The booking choices are every morning, every afternoon or a full day every day. Two sets of timings need resolving before arranging childcare: morning and afternoon sessions are given as 8:50am to 11:50am and noon to 3pm, but also as 8:45am to 11:45am and 11:45am to 2:45pm. The full-day option is 8:45am to 2:45pm. Each morning or afternoon pattern totals 15 hours.
Nursery enrolment uses a form returned to school with a birth certificate and, where applicable, a baptism certificate. For enquiries, call 0151 329 0814 or email admin@ourladystar.cheshire.sch.uk. School tours can be arranged through the office.
Children start in September after their third birthday and must be three before 1 September.
Every morning, every afternoon or a full day every day. The two sets of session timings differ, so resolve the start and collection times before making childcare arrangements.
Activities include construction, sand and water play, art and imaginative role play, alongside outdoor learning. Books and children’s interests help shape the EYFS curriculum.
No. Reception requires a separate application through Cheshire West and Chester’s school admissions service by the normal deadline.
Start with the class teacher. The SENCO coordinates SEND support, including contact with specialist services and parents’ involvement in reviews.
