Millbrook Community Primary School Nursery Review

A pretend flight to the moon and towers built to compare height give Blossom nursery its character: learning starts with something children can make, imagine or investigate. This is Millbrook Community Primary School’s own nursery on Kirkby Row in Liverpool, part of its Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Entry is usually in the term following a child’s third birthday, subject to a place being available. There are 26 places in the morning or afternoon.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 26 and 27 November 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Play takes up most of children’s time, with adults joining their activities to introduce ideas and extend learning. Children can choose activities from resources set out for them, while adult-directed teaching gives them skills to practise through play afterwards. Plans respond to children’s interests as well as the knowledge and skills staff intend to teach. For parents, that means a child’s curiosity helps shape the learning.

The EYFS approach brings together communication, physical development and early learning. Talk gets particular attention through Tales Toolkit, Talk boost and Wellcomm. Books help introduce topics, and activities run indoors and outdoors so children can return to an idea and practise it again. In November 2024, staff interactions supported speech and movement, helping children develop communication and the beginnings of writing.

Concrete examples make the approach easier to picture. Nursery activities from September 2025 included sorting objects, matching them and comparing the height of towers, alongside constructing a plane for an imaginary moon journey. An October 2024 nursery activity combined sandwich making with building hedgehog houses. These examples put early mathematical language, practical tasks and imaginative construction into children’s hands.

Settling was a strength in November 2024: children in early years adjusted quickly to starting. Relationships with families are part of the EYFS approach, and staff plan children’s next learning steps around their individual needs. Parents are encouraged to build independence with dressing and toileting, and to continue conversation, songs and stories at home. Those are practical ways to connect nursery learning with family routines.

For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school’s approach includes Personal or Group Provision Plans, with targets reviewed alongside parents and support services. The school also names a Sensory room, hall and Oak classroom as spaces for sensory activities. These are school resources, rather than a description of the nursery classroom. Families seeking pastoral support start with the class teacher; referral to the learning mentor requires parental permission.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no admission priority. There is no automatic transfer. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions route, even if their child already attends Blossom.

Applications go through Knowsley school admissions, or the home authority for families living in another borough. The admissions page gives an annual application window from September to 15 January. Treat that application as a separate task from choosing nursery: a nursery place does not reserve the next place.

Morning and afternoon provision give families two session options. Nursery intake is termly, normally after the third birthday, and an application form can be obtained from the school or Knowsley Council. Registering interest for longer does not count as a priority criterion when nursery places are allocated.

To enquire or arrange a school visit, telephone 0151 477 8160. Visits are by appointment, giving families a direct opportunity to discuss nursery before applying.