St Joseph's Catholic Academy Nursery Review

Early mathematics and space to learn outdoors gave the early years provision at St Joseph's Catholic Academy its clearest character at the May 2022 inspection. This is the nursery attached to a Catholic primary academy on Armadale Drive in Leicester, where the school's age range begins at three. For parents, the focus is an introduction to school life through activities and challenges suited to young children.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 10 and 11 May 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The most useful detail for families lies in the account of children's learning: purposeful activities, opportunities to work with early mathematical ideas and confidence in tackling challenges.

The classroom and outdoor area both contributed to a settled, purposeful atmosphere in May 2022. Having learning space inside and outside gives children more than one setting for their activities. The evidence supports a picture of focused learning across those spaces, rather than a description of particular equipment or a fixed daily timetable.

Mathematics had a clear place in the early years experience. Children had frequent chances to practise beginning mathematical knowledge and skills, making this an active part of their learning. Practice matters here: children have opportunities to return to ideas and use what they are learning, rather than encounter them only once.

Activities were carefully planned, and children tackled the challenges with confidence. Together, those details suggest an experience that asks children to participate and try things for themselves. The emphasis is on doing and responding, with mathematical practice providing a concrete example of that approach.

At the May 2022 inspection, phonics teaching began in early years and followed a consistent approach. This gave the introduction to sounds a shared teaching method, alongside the mathematical learning described above.

Children settled into school life promptly in May 2022. For a family considering a first school experience, that is a useful finding about how children adjusted at that time. It sits alongside the calm learning atmosphere described in the classroom and outside.

Confidence was another feature of the early years experience: children responded readily to the challenges offered. Settling and participation belong together in this account. Children were adjusting to school life while also becoming involved in the learning activities around them.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place at St Joseph's Catholic Academy.

The school is on Armadale Drive, Leicester, LE5 1HF. Its telephone number is 01162416197. These provide a practical location and contact point for families considering the attached nursery.