Nursery at St Albert's Catholic Primary School

Time to follow an idea gives this nursery its character. Children choose activities indoors and outside, while staff build themes around their interests and allow sustained periods of play. Independence matters too: finding a name card and deciding when to have a snack give children small decisions of their own.

The nursery belongs to St Albert's Catholic Primary School in Stockbridge Village, within its Foundation Stage provision. A teacher working full time and two classroom assistants support the sessions. Ofsted's January 2026 report assessed early years as Expected standard, a judgement within the school's inspection rather than a separate nursery rating.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning with play, movement and exploration. Here, that means practising sharing and taking turns alongside language, early number work and creative activity. Children select their name card for registration, giving name recognition a practical purpose. Adult-led activities sit alongside choices children make for themselves.

The book corner provides space for reading, while the outdoor classroom has sand, water, cars and bikes. Construction, pretend play and making marks offer different ways to develop ideas. Access to the indoor and outdoor spaces continues through the session, so learning is not confined to a table or a single room.

Talk for Writing techniques begin in EYFS, and the Rhyme Spine brings familiar songs and nursery rhymes into regular use. Nursery mathematics runs through the activities available for children to choose. The emphasis is on making connections through play. In January 2026, staff interactions helped children extend their vocabulary and use new language in their play. Writing development. Some children across early years remained behind in writing, despite effective action to help them. Families should keep writing development part of their conversations with staff.

Each nursery child has an assigned key worker, whose identity is shared with parents. Parents can speak with that person or the class teacher at drop-off about concerns or information affecting their child. This gives everyday communication a clear point of contact. A staff member supervising the door may be occupied with that responsibility.

Settling receives intensive staff support from the start. In January 2026, nursery children adapted quickly to routines, while close work with families helped staff recognise and support special educational needs and disabilities. That partnership matters when a child's needs are becoming clearer. Snack is available on a continuous basis, allowing children to choose when to eat and practise managing this part of their session.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the later school application as separate decisions.

The school's Admissions Arrangements page links to Reception admission policies and Knowsley's admissions information. Use those arrangements for the Reception application rather than relying on attendance at nursery as an assurance of a place.

Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoon sessions run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. These are distinct session choices, so families can consider which fits their daily arrangements. Nursery uses its own entrance, and children have individual coat pegs in the cloakroom.

Tell staff if someone other than the usual adult will collect your child. Collectors must be at least 14, making advance planning necessary if an older sibling helps with collection. For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 0151 477 8560 at Steers Croft, Stockbridge Village.