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Nursery at Saint Patrick's Catholic Voluntary Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Mud-kitchen play, stories invented in the role-play area and adults joining children's conversations give Saint Patrick's nursery its character. This is the school's own nursery provision on Harrison Road in Belgrave, Leicester, within a Catholic primary setting. Learning combines children's choices with adult teaching, so exploration and direct instruction both have a place.
Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 2 and 3 March 2023. That judgement covers the early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The curriculum was carefully organised, with indoor learning a strength and outdoor provision an area requiring attention.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes the nursery curriculum. In everyday terms, children develop their speech, relationships and physical skills alongside early reading, writing and maths. Creative activities and discovering how the world works complete the picture. Learning happens through play as well as teaching.
Intentional and Responsive Pedagogy is the named approach. Adults combine planned input with opportunities for children to pursue their interests, experiment and explore. During children's chosen activities, staff play alongside them, demonstrate techniques and extend conversations. This gives adults opportunities to help with a particular skill while following what interests the child.
Indoors, children can construct, paint and draw, explore shapes and counting, or invent stories through role play. Clay and play dough offer further ways to handle materials and make things. Outdoors, sand, water, natural materials and the mud kitchen extend that practical exploration. Children use the learning environment daily through activities they choose themselves.
In March 2023, early years children enjoyed learning and sustained their attention during lessons. Rhymes, stories and songs supported vocabulary development. Outdoor learning. At that inspection, outdoor resources supported learning less effectively than the indoor spaces. Families should give the outdoor activities close attention when visiting.
Catholic teaching has a concrete nursery expression through Come and See. Its topics are adapted to children's ages: early years learning during Lent explores growth and new life. Nursery children also take part in a show during the school year, giving them a place in the school's shared celebrations.
Language support is woven into the approach. The nursery recognises that children may begin with limited spoken English and provides targeted adult help and direct teaching to broaden their language and experiences. Conversations during play give that support a practical setting.
Termly assessment checkpoints are shared with parents, whose knowledge of their child contributes to staff judgements. When a child risks falling behind, staff can adjust activities, monitor progress more closely and provide additional adult support. Specialist advice is sought when needed for children with special educational needs or disabilities. The school's SEND coordinator can be contacted through the office, giving families a route to discuss support.
Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Admissions are coordinated by the relevant local authority on behalf of the trust.
Shared outdoor learning allows nursery children to learn alongside Reception children. That provides contact with the next stage of school life, but it does not secure an admission place. Keep the classroom transition and the application process separate in your planning.
An earlier nursery arrangement used two class patterns. Bumblebee attended Monday and Tuesday from 8:50am to 3:10pm, plus Wednesday from 8:50am to 11:10am. Butterfly attended Wednesday from 8:50am to 11:10am, then Thursday and Friday from 8:50am to 3:10pm. Treat these as historical arrangements when planning childcare.
For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0116 266 1149 or email school.office@st-patricks.leicester.sch.uk. School tours can be arranged by telephone appointment. This gives families an opportunity to look at the indoor and outdoor learning spaces before deciding.
The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, combining adult teaching with play, experimentation and children's own exploration.
Outdoor activities include sand, water, natural materials and mud-kitchen play. Nursery and Reception children can learn together outside.
Staff share assessment checkpoints termly and use parents' knowledge of their child to help shape their judgements and advice.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline.
Call 0116 266 1149 to arrange a school tour by appointment.
