Barlows Primary School Nursery

Language is the clearest thread running through Barlows’ nursery: children encounter language-rich learning before their next stage of school. This is the primary school’s own provision for three- and four-year-olds, with full-time and part-time places. Children can start from their third birthday if a place is available.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at its December 2024 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school. The nursery’s scale has an older reference point: the 2017-2018 admissions policy described two classes accommodating 30 children each, 60 altogether.

The learning emphasis begins with language. In December 2024, nursery children were immersed in language use, giving them a foundation for the next steps in reading. For parents, the useful distinction is that this starts during the nursery year, rather than waiting until children move on.

Attendance follows a repeated weekday pattern. A morning or afternoon place means the same session across Monday to Friday; the full-time option spans the school day. Families therefore choose a regular block of nursery time, with fixed collection and drop-off arrangements rather than changing hours from day to day.

Settling has included contact before children start. The school’s 2017-2018 SEND Local Offer described a Stay and Play invitation for incoming nursery children, while its SEND information report from that period recorded nursery staff visiting children at home. These provided opportunities for children and adults to become acquainted before nursery began.

Staffing in that information report included a class teacher alongside teaching assistant support in nursery. It also described small-group and individual help, with staff allocated according to experience and expertise. Its support resources included visual timetables and access to a sensory room, concrete ways of adapting learning for children with additional needs.

For concerns about learning or progress, the 2021-2022 SEND policy directs parents first to their child’s teacher, with referral to the SENCO where appropriate. This gives families a clear starting point for discussing support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no admissions priority. Barlows’ admission arrangements explicitly separate the two processes: families must make another application, and Liverpool City Council allocates Reception places.

For September 2027 entry, the school gives an application window beginning on 1 September 2026 and closing in January 2027. Check Liverpool City Council’s admissions closing-date page for the exact deadline, then apply through its online admissions route. Families living outside Liverpool apply through their home local authority. Choosing nursery and applying for Reception are separate decisions.

The full-time pattern runs from 8:45am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday, for families receiving 30-hour childcare funding. Attendance is required across all five days, and flexible collection or drop-off times are not offered.

Part-time 15-hour places use either mornings, 8:45am to 11:45am, or afternoons, 12:30pm to 3:30pm, again Monday to Friday. Eligible families using the 30-hour offer must supply their code before starting, meet the school’s requested deadline and renew eligibility every three months.

Contact the school office on 0151 525 2751 for nursery enquiries. Families who are not allocated a place can ask the office to add them to the nursery waiting list.