St Francis de Sales Catholic Infant and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Stories, space exploration and muddy Forest School activities give this nursery its character. Part of St Francis de Sales Catholic Infant and Nursery School on Margaret Road in Walton, Liverpool, it has 104 places, with morning, afternoon and whole-day classes. Families can choose a shorter session or a day spanning both morning and afternoon.

Provision includes children aged three and four. Two-year-olds may also join in January or April if places remain after the September intake, with funded places subject to eligibility. This is a Catholic school nursery, so faith forms part of the wider setting. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 5 and 6 November 2024; that judgement covers early years rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play shapes the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum here. In parent language, that means learning through exploration, conversation and activities, with both adult-guided experiences and opportunities children choose themselves. Learning happens outside as well as indoors, and adults use children's interests and existing strengths to shape experiences.

Speaking, listening and stories have a clear purpose. In November 2024, nursery children encountered books and storytelling as preparation for reading, while language support began in Nursery. Early years children also learned routines and developed the ability to manage their feelings and behaviour. These are practical foundations for joining in with other children and taking part in learning.

Space-themed computing gives a concrete picture of the activities. Nursery children have explored a keyboard and mouse through a space-station activity, packed walkie-talkies and torches into rucksacks, and used a laptop to investigate questions about space. Activities away from computers also develop language and understanding of the world. Technology has a place alongside play.

Forest School runs through a rotating programme involving every class. Activities include searching for small creatures, making temporary artwork and digging in mud; marshmallow toasting introduces fire safety. Jigsaw provides the nursery's personal, social and emotional learning programme. The November 2024 inspection also identified school-level weaknesses in specifying curriculum knowledge in some subjects and in support for blending sounds when learning to read. Those concerns should not be mistaken for nursery-only findings.

Support for additional needs starts before the Nursery Year. In November 2024, staff worked with families before children began so that needs could be recognised early and provision arranged from the outset. For parents, that makes the initial conversation about development part of planning their child's start.

An EYFS lead appears within the nursery teaching structure. Families can arrange a meeting with the SEND coordinator through the school office, providing a direct route for discussing special educational needs and disabilities. Forest School communication has a practical rhythm: dates go on Seesaw, with reminders in weekly newsletters, so parents can prepare clothing for outdoor activities.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; the school's admissions page directs applicants to Liverpool City Council. Choosing a nursery session and applying for Reception are separate decisions. Keep the Reception application on your calendar even when your child already attends Nursery.

Apple Class runs from 9am to 3pm for the 30-hour pattern. The morning option, Olive AM Class, runs from 8.45am to 11.45am; Pine PM Class runs from noon to 3pm. Both shorter patterns are linked to 15 funded hours. Nursery admissions also advertises wraparound care from 8am to 5.50pm, extending the possible childcare day beyond classroom sessions.

For three- and four-year-olds, universal funding covers 15 hours each week over 38 weeks annually. The whole-day funded pattern requires eligibility for the extended 30-hour entitlement. Funding cannot move between settings midway through a term, so a change of nursery needs planning around that restriction.

Apply using the online Nursery Application Form. Visits can be arranged by calling 0151 525 8489, allowing families to see the nursery classroom and meet staff. On Forest School days, children need warm clothing, a waterproof coat and footwear suitable for mud, such as wellies or old shoes.