St Aloysius Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Ducklings, listening games and a shared messy room give the nursery at St Aloysius Catholic Primary School its character: play connects with carefully chosen early learning. Nursery has its own classroom, while the outdoor area and messy room are shared with Reception. Those shared spaces also help children get to know the adults they may meet at their next stage.

Morning and afternoon groups each offer 26 places, alongside a limited number of additional 30-hour places. The nursery teacher also holds the Early Years Phase Leader role, linking classroom teaching with responsibility for the wider foundation stage. In January 2025, Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play shapes the learning, with adults leading some activities and children choosing others, indoors and outside. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together movement, relationships and communication with early reading, number work, creativity and exploration of the world. It is a broad start. Each half term introduces a different theme with a book to support it, giving activities a common thread.

Read Write Inc begins in nursery with Phase 1 games that develop listening. Children move to daily RWI teaching once those listening foundations are secure, so the next step depends on readiness. Number work has a similarly specific shape: counting rhymes and songs feature daily, with mathematical activities available during play. Once children have settled, NCETM Numberblocks resources support learning about numbers within 5.

Experiences make themes tangible. Police and fire-service visitors connect with learning about people who help; a visiting farm links animals with growing. Caring for butterflies and ducklings brings life cycles into children's experience. Christmas, Easter, Diwali and Chinese New Year also feature in learning about celebrations.

Catholic education starts here through Come and See. Its themes follow the church year, with early years children considering growth and new life during Lent. Shared experiences, reflection and creative activities give young children ways to explore the school's faith tradition. In January 2025, children across early years followed familiar routines, behaved well and learnt cooperatively.

Stay and play sessions let new children explore the classroom, meet their teacher and start making friends alongside a parent or carer. Familiarity begins before independent attendance. The EYFS Lead also visits children transferring from private nurseries, supporting communication between settings.

Observation during play helps staff understand each child's starting point. Regular assessments then shape teaching and identify children needing extra help. Wellcomm Screening checks for speech and language support needs at points throughout the year. For families whose child needs additional support, the school's inclusion manager works with parents and outside agencies, providing a route for discussing that support together.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process, using the online Knowsley Primary Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme Form. Treat that application as a separate decision from arranging nursery sessions.

Transition activities serve a different purpose: helping children feel familiar with their next classroom and adults. Nursery children spend time with Reception staff in the shared spaces during the year. Transition days then introduce their new class, teachers and classmates. Familiarity supports the move; it does not secure admission.

Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoons run from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Each pattern provides 15 hours a week. The 30-hour option runs Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 2.30pm, with limited additional places available.

Children can attend Breakfast Club from 7.45am and extend their school day to 3.15pm for an additional charge. Contact the school office on 01514778110 or 01514895083 about nursery arrangements, flexible hours and current charges. These extensions can make a difference when fitting sessions around work.

Foundation Stage uniform consists of a school jogging suit with a white school polo shirt. Label clothing with your child's name; the office also handles enquiries about pre-worn uniform.