Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

An Early Years Garden, a quad and specialist music sessions give this nursery a distinct place within Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School in Leigh-on-Sea. Provision includes children aged two, three and four, with nursery children learning in both a nursery class and a class shared with Reception children. It is part of the main school, so the experience includes contact with its wider life rather than a wholly separate nursery routine.

The Catholic ethos shapes early learning: the school links its approach to faith, kindness and responsibility. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection of 21 and 22 September 2022. That judgement covers early years across the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play has a substantial role, with children choosing activities and adults joining in to develop ideas and language. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum combines time together as a class, teaching in smaller groups and indoor and outdoor play. Communication, movement and social and emotional development are its starting priorities: learning to express an idea and cooperate with another child matters alongside other learning.

Books give activities their starting point. Staff plan around core texts, linking stories with opportunities to explore and talk. In September 2022, early years activities connected to books helped children build vocabulary and understanding; children also learned to take turns and share. These are useful foundations for joining group play and making themselves understood.

Outside space is a concrete strength of the nursery's offer. There is grass as well as paving, an Early Years Garden, a play space beside the nursery classroom and a quad within the foundation unit. Each early years class opens directly onto outdoor space, giving children opportunities to move between different learning environments. Nursery children also have sessions with specialist music and PE teachers, adding music and physical activity to their play.

Class Dojo connects home and the early years team. Staff share learning, while parents can contribute information about their child's development through the app or conversations. This gives families a practical way to connect what happens at home with nursery activities. The nursery welcomes children with special educational needs, and families can contact the school's SENCo team to discuss support.

Lunch Club sits between the two nursery sessions. Across the school, Nourish prepares meals on site; dinner bookings go through School Money by 8.40am. Children choose their meal on the day, and staff help with dietary requirements using the identified allergens. Breakfast Club includes food, while the longer after-school option includes tea.

Communication deserves attention. In September 2022, a small proportion of parents across the school lacked confidence in communication with leaders, prompting a requirement to improve contact and involvement. A separate school-wide concern involved inconsistent delivery of plans in a few subjects. Neither finding was identified specifically as a nursery weakness, but both are relevant context for families.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the Southend Local Authority Portal. For Reception entry in 2027, the deadline is 15 January 2027 for the local authority application and the return of the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to school. Families seeking consideration under a faith category should complete the SIF.

Sharing a class with Reception children gives some nursery children experience of learning alongside the next age group. That classroom arrangement is separate from the admissions decision.

Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am, with nursery opening at 8.40am. Lunch Club follows until 12.15pm, then the afternoon session runs to 3.15pm. Breakfast Club starts at 7.15am; nursery children are excluded from the free breakfast offer. After-school care has nursery options ending at 4.15pm or 5.30pm.

Wraparound bookings use MCAS or the office, with bookings requested by 12.30pm on Friday for the following week. Places depend on availability. Universal funding for three- and four-year-olds covers 15 hours from the term following their third birthday; breakfast, lunch and after-school clubs carry additional charges. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery enquiries go directly to the office via an Expression of Interest form. Thursday morning tours can be booked through the office. Winter nursery clothing includes navy tracksuit trousers, a white polo and a blue logo sweatshirt; named Wellington boots stay at school for outdoor use.