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Nursery at St Clare's Catholic 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A water wall, a class nursery-rhyme book and bug hunts in Forest School give St Clare's nursery its character: learning starts with things children can handle, hear and investigate. This is the school's own nursery for three- and four-year-olds, within St Clare's Catholic Primary School on Garmoyle Close in Liverpool.
Qualified teachers lead the provision, supported by support staff. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 25 and 26 February 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), alongside Development Matters, supplies the curriculum framework. In children's activities, that means opportunities to explore number, practise language, make things and investigate their surroundings. A number hunt in January 2026 had children searching the nursery room for hidden numeral fours. Construction brings another kind of challenge: children have used Stickle Bricks and Duplo both to follow picture cards and to invent models.
Books and songs have a clear place. Children chose rhymes for a class book in January 2026, then returned to its pages to sing together. In February 2025, nursery stories and singing provided useful preparation for later phonics learning. Parents also joined their children for reading each week in early years, connecting shared books at school with family participation.
Outdoor experiences are concrete. In June 2026, children experimented with boats and model sea creatures, pouring water into the water wall and following its route through pipes. A March 2026 Forest School hunt turned up woodlice, ants and worms; children then drew their chosen creatures back in class. The outdoor discovery became something to represent on paper.
Catholic learning also takes practical form. Nursery children acted out Palm Sunday in the prayer garden in March 2026, using palm leaves and singing. Faith is part of the activities children take part in.
Support for communication includes work with Merseyside Autism and Speech Therapy (MAST) in EYFS. The September 2025 SEND information report describes staff training, assessment of children's speech and communication needs, and support tailored to those needs. This gives families a specific route into discussing early language concerns.
The school's SEND policy provides for termly reviews of pupil profiles with parents, covering targets, progress and wellbeing. Families can contact the SEND coordinator at sendco@st-clares.liverpool.sch.uk. The school building occupies one level and has wheelchair ramps, a useful physical feature for families considering access.
Food appears in nursery activities too. In March 2025, children tasted pancakes during snack time after sharing a pancake story. That was a themed experience rather than a description of the everyday menu.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority. Under the 2026–2027 admission arrangements, nursery attendance carries no oversubscription priority.
For that intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026, which has passed. Families applying under faith criteria 2 to 6 were also asked to return the supplementary form with supporting documents by the closing date. Keep nursery attendance and the Reception application as separate decisions.
Transition support has its own purpose. The September 2025 SEND information report describes an internal day for children to meet their next teacher and meetings between teachers to discuss the incoming class. These arrangements support continuity; they do not confer an admissions advantage.
Up to 15 funded hours each week are offered for children aged three and four. Families can arrange a look around by contacting the school on 0151 733 4318 or emailing clares-ao@st-clares.liverpool.sch.uk.
For calendar planning, the autumn half-term break in the 2026–2027 school calendar runs from 26 to 30 October 2026. The same calendar marks five INSET days as awaiting confirmation, so allow for those when organising family arrangements.
The nursery offer is for three- and four-year-olds.
Qualified teachers run the nursery with support staff alongside them.
Examples include water-wall play, construction with blocks outdoors and bug hunts in Forest School.
No. A separate application to the home local authority is required, and nursery attendance carries no priority under the 2026–2027 arrangements.
Yes. Contact the school on 0151 733 4318 or at clares-ao@st-clares.liverpool.sch.uk to arrange a look around.
