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Nursery at Knotty Ash Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
British Sign Language starts in Nursery at Knotty Ash, giving communication a distinctive place alongside play, stories and early number work. Children learn to sign from the beginning of their school experience. The nursery shares a Foundation Stage Unit with Reception, with separate entrances but opportunities to learn together indoors and outside.
Children can join from the day after their third birthday. Morning and afternoon sessions each take up to 26 children, while eligible children can attend under the 30-hour full-day offer. This is a nursery within the primary school on Thomas Lane in Liverpool, rather than a separate setting.
Play and adult-directed learning alternate through each session. Children begin with indoor activities, while adults observe their learning and lead activities. A teaching input covers a topic, maths, literacy or phonics, followed by snack and time to use both the indoor and outdoor provision. Stories, music or rhymes provide another shared activity before the session ends. The afternoon follows a similar sequence, giving both groups the same broad pattern.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together early learning and children's development. Here, its priorities include movement, communication and learning to manage relationships and feelings, alongside maths, literacy and creative exploration. Teachers and teaching assistants adapt the play provision and provide direction, so children have opportunities to pursue their interests as well as join adult-led learning.
Outdoor time forms part of the routine, and Forest School also features in the Foundation Stage experience. Families provide waterproof clothing and wellington boots. Dressing, handwashing and using the toilet are learning goals too: independence extends beyond the activities to the practical business of the day.
Settling begins with a home visit before a child joins Nursery, usually in September's first week, or later according to their birthday. Parents can discuss concerns with their child's key person before sessions begin. Children initially attend a complete morning or afternoon; for those taking a full-day place, the move to longer attendance can happen over several days in agreement with parents.
Snack is part of each session. Children using the 30-hour offer can stay through the lunch break with a healthy packed lunch, with an additional charge for supervision payable in advance. This arrangement makes the midday break part of the family's planning for a full day.
Toileting deserves careful attention. Children who are not toilet trained may wear pull-ups and are encouraged to use the toilet. During a half-day session, staff change a pull-up after soiling with faeces, but not for wetness alone; children attending all day have their pull-up changed. Labelled spare clothes can be left for accidents.
For deaf children, the school's Deaf Resource Base has teachers qualified in deaf education, specialist support staff and a full-time BSL tutor. Its admission process is coordinated separately through Liverpool Local Authority Sensory Service. That distinction matters for families seeking specialist provision.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Liverpool City Council's normal Reception process and meet its deadline. The council manages allocation, so a nursery place should never be treated as a reservation for school entry.
Familiarity is a different benefit. Nursery children already share parts of the Foundation Stage environment with Reception, and the two staff teams hold transition meetings before September. These arrangements help staff exchange knowledge about children; they do not replace the admissions process.
Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoons run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. For eligible full-day children, the supervised lunch period is 11.30am to 12.30pm. Nursery applications go directly to the school, and families can apply before their child's third birthday. Enquiries go to the school office on 0151 228 4222.
Uniform combines a red logo polo shirt and sweatshirt with black joggers, with black shorts or leggings permitted in summer. Nursery has its own clothing logo. Shoes should be comfortable, black and secured with Velcro; trainers are permitted. Label clothing and bring a water bottle, waterproofs and wellington boots for outdoor use.
Children can start from the day after their third birthday. Applications are made directly to the school and can be submitted before that birthday.
The morning session is 8.30am to 11.30am, and the afternoon session is 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Eligible children can use the 30-hour full-day provision.
A home visit gives parents an opportunity to speak with their child's key person. Children begin with a morning or afternoon session; full-day attendance can be introduced over several days by agreement with parents.
Children staying for lunch under the 30-hour offer need a healthy packed lunch. Supervision carries an additional charge, payable in advance.
No. Families must apply separately through Liverpool City Council's Reception admissions process by its normal deadline.
