Mab Lane Primary School Nursery Review

Little Rainbows puts play first: two-year-olds explore their interests and ideas in a room of their own. Alongside it, Mab Lane Junior Mixed and Infant School has nursery provision for children aged three and four, with its own staff team and a refurbished outdoor area. These are two distinct early years groups within the primary school, rather than one mixed-age nursery room.

For families choosing between the groups, the distinction is practical. Little Rainbows has dedicated staff and space for the younger children; the older nursery combines classroom play areas with equipment for climbing outdoors.

Play shapes learning in Little Rainbows. Staff use the birth to three curriculum to plan activities around children's development, while play gives children opportunities to express ideas and pursue their interests. The emphasis is on learning through what children do.

For three- and four-year-olds, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework guides learning. Its practical setting here includes a construction area, small world play and a home corner, alongside a quiet space for reading. Children can explore indoors and outside, with outdoor climbing equipment adding physical play to the classroom choices. Building, pretend play and books give different interests room to develop.

In June 2024, Ofsted identified an early years emphasis on language development, with nursery stories and rhymes helping children build vocabulary. That gives listening and talking a clear place alongside exploration and play.

Separate staff teams serve the two nursery age groups. Beyond those teams, the school's inclusion structure brings together the headteacher, deputy headteacher/SEND coordinator and assistant headteacher, supported by teachers and teaching assistants. Parents can raise pastoral concerns with their child's class teacher or arrange a conversation with the pastoral team through the office. This provides a direct route for discussing worries affecting a child's learning or development.

At the June 2024 inspection, young children needing specialist speech and language support attended an attached resource base part time, following a personalised curriculum. This specialist provision is distinct from the general nursery groups.

Chartwells runs the school's meal service. School meals are purchased through SchoolGateway Payments, and the office helps families register an account.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Liverpool City Council's website, following the normal admissions timetable. Choosing nursery and applying for school are separate decisions; families should keep the Reception application as its own task.

Mab Lane follows Liverpool's local authority admissions arrangements. Familiarity with the school through nursery must not be treated as a secured place for the next stage.

Both nursery age groups accept government funding. For all three- and four-year-olds, the universal entitlement covers 15 hours each week for 38 weeks a year; eligible working families can receive up to 30 hours weekly. Qualifying two-year-olds with additional needs or from vulnerable and disadvantaged families can receive 15 funded hours weekly over 38 weeks.

Funding excludes meals, nappies and additional activities such as trips, for which providers may charge separately. Funded childcare therefore needs to be considered alongside these possible extras. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery applications cover Little Rainbows and the three- and four-year-old group. Guided school tours can be arranged through the office. For enquiries, call 0151 259 4282 or email admin-office@mablane.co.uk.