St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Play shaped by children's interests gives this nursery its character. St Elizabeth's combines that approach with adult-led tasks, placing children's own curiosity alongside planned teaching. It is the nursery of a Catholic primary school on Webster Street in Litherland, beside St Elizabeth of Hungary church.

Provision includes two-year-olds. In March 2023, the youngest children enjoyed learning alongside older nursery children, giving them opportunities to learn from peers as well as adults.

Children's interests and topic work help shape play, while adults also organise specific learning tasks. For parents, that means a balance between children pursuing an idea and staff introducing something deliberately. Play is part of the teaching approach, rather than simply a break between lessons.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework. Development Matters supplies guidance, and the Characteristics of Effective Learning focus attention on how children learn: exploring something unfamiliar, persisting when it becomes difficult and working out their own ideas. These are habits children can practise through play.

Communication, physical development and children's social and emotional development receive priority within the seven learning areas. In plain language, the emphasis is on talking and listening, developing movement and coordination, and learning to manage feelings and relationships. These foundations sit alongside mathematics, literacy, creative expression and learning about the world.

Songs and stories give that framework a concrete nursery expression. Ofsted's inspection on 28 and 29 March 2023 found that nursery children took pleasure in rhymes and storytelling. Familiar language and shared stories provide a starting point for joining in and listening to others.

Relationships matter for the youngest children. In March 2023, two-year-olds received good care and developed close relationships with staff. That is a useful finding for families considering an early start in a school nursery.

For children who remain for lunch, school meals are charged and payment is required beforehand. The nursery guidance specifies that those children do not qualify for free school meals until Reception. Families should account for lunch separately and refer to the school for current charges.

Parents with safeguarding concerns can contact the safeguarding team through the school office. The school's SEND information page also directs families to the Sefton Local Offer, providing a route to local information about special educational needs and disabilities.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline. Choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the early years experience itself, with the later school application treated as a separate step.

For nursery enquiries, contact the office on 0151 922 5752 or email admin@stelizabethscps.org.uk. School tours can be arranged through the office, giving families an opportunity to see the setting before deciding.

Use Webster Street when planning the journey: the school's contact guidance warns that postcode searches can direct drivers to the opposite side of the canal. Seaforth and Litherland is the nearest railway station; buses 55, 53 and X2 are listed. Visitors are asked to use public transport where possible, or park considerately in nearby streets.