Carleton House Preparatory School Nursery Review

Play, specialist music and a Catholic identity give Carleton House’s nursery its character. Children start in September following their third birthday, joining the school’s early years section on Menlove Avenue in Liverpool. The admissions arrangements allow up to 24 nursery children. This is a school nursery with its own class, rather than a separate childcare setting.

A full-time teacher and teaching assistant work with each early years class. That gives children familiar adults across both organised activities and play. Families of other faiths are welcome, with parents expected to support the Catholic ethos.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes learning through play, exploration and trying ideas out. Structured teaching sits alongside practical activities, while staff use children’s interests and observations of their development to plan what comes next. The emphasis is on participating and experimenting.

Weekly music lessons begin in Nursery and are taught by a specialist. Singing, listening, composing and performing give children several ways to take part. Across early years in June 2025, activities included yoga, games with balls and hoops, and exploring rhythm and melody. These bring movement and expression into learning, alongside opportunities to practise managing feelings.

Learning also extends outdoors. In June 2025, early years provision included additional outdoor learning opportunities; parents can join local walks as part of their involvement. Pretend shopping with plastic coins gave early years children a practical introduction to value. Small responsibilities, such as distributing resources or helping organise a line, made contributing to the group part of the day.

Settling centres on getting used to routines, with the early years team working alongside each child. Stay-and-play visits and transition meetings involve parents in that process. In June 2025, regular conversations with families and weekly staff briefings helped adults understand children’s needs; early years staff also monitored feelings and responded to individual concerns.

School meals are optional for nursery children: families can choose them or provide a packed lunch. Packed lunches must contain no nuts and be prepared somewhere nut-free. That gives families a choice of lunch arrangements, alongside a clear preparation requirement.

SEND support follows Assess, Plan, Do and Review, with families involved in agreeing support and reviewing progress. A designated SEND room provides space for additional work. WellComm and The Big Book of Ideas support targeted language activities. Admission depends on the school being able to meet a child’s needs with reasonable adjustments, and external specialist assistance can carry additional charges.

Inspection context. ISI’s June 2025 inspection identified unmet school standards concerning safeguarding, admission notifications and leadership oversight, including failure to publish required inspection reports. Inspectors also found insufficiently thorough post-trip risk evaluations, some on-site risk assessments lacking area-specific detail, and weaknesses in risk monitoring and recording reference checks. The January 2026 monitoring inspection confirmed that required inspection reports were published and all standards considered at that visit were met, including effective safeguarding procedures covering early years; this was a focused follow-up, rather than a new overall nursery grade.

Nursery attendance gives priority consideration for Reception, provided application requirements and deadlines are met. It does not guarantee a place. Families must make a separate application directly to Carleton House, with Reception places allocated in the autumn term for entry the next academic year. Choosing Nursery carries no obligation to continue into Reception.

Transition meetings form part of the early years partnership with parents. These practical conversations should be treated separately from the decision about admission.

The nursery accepts government funding for both 15 and 30 hours. Registration involves an application form and a non-refundable registration charge; payment does not secure a place or admission priority. Fees are payable in advance, with annual, termly or monthly payment options. Contact the school for current charges.

The nursery uniform order form lists a sweatshirt, jogging trousers, a sky-blue polo and a winter coat. For enquiries, use the admissions form or contact schooloffice@carletonhouse.co.uk on 0151 722 0756. School visits can be arranged through the office throughout the year.