St. Margaret's Anfield Nursery Review

Daily stories, small speaking groups and outdoor exploration give St. Margaret's Anfield's nursery its character. This is the nursery class within St. Margaret's Anfield Church of England Primary School on Lower Breck Road in Liverpool. It belongs to the school's early years provision, with nursery teachers and EYFS teaching assistants forming the team.

Play shapes the learning. Children choose activities, explore through their senses and follow interests, while adults extend their thinking and introduce activities of their own. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings these experiences together across its areas of learning. For parents, that means play has a teaching purpose: staff observe what children need next and adapt the experiences around them.

Language gets sustained attention. Songs, nursery rhymes and books introduce vocabulary, while daily stories give children practice in understanding what they hear. Read Write Inc. is the named phonics approach across early years. Key worker speaking and listening groups add a smaller setting for practising social interaction and developing words and ideas.

Indoor and outdoor learning are planned together. Outside, resources encourage exploration and manageable challenges; wellies and a waterproof coat are required because outdoor activity occupies a substantial part of early years learning. The emphasis is on using the space to investigate, rather than simply taking a break from learning indoors.

In May 2023, the early years classrooms had plentiful learning resources, and teaching helped children achieve well. Children also understood routines for safe, purposeful play and work. These findings give substance to the nursery's emphasis on exploration within familiar expectations.

Friendships, feelings and routines are part of the nursery curriculum. Children receive help to express emotions appropriately and understand behavioural expectations. ROAR strategies and JIGSAW support emotional and social development across early years, giving staff named approaches to use alongside everyday interactions.

Parents can engage with learning through Seesaw. Weekly Home School Link information explains the teaching, and information sessions and stay and play workshops bring families into the learning relationship. These are practical ways to connect activities at nursery with conversations at home.

At dinner times, children receive support with choosing food. Inclusion also extends explicitly to nursery, including children with disabilities, special educational needs and English as an additional language. The school uses Assess–Plan–Do–Review for SEND support, with the class teacher and SENCo involving parents in decisions. Individual Provision Maps record that support, allowing it to be reviewed and adjusted around the child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process by the deadline for their child's intake. Liverpool residents apply through Liverpool City Council; families living elsewhere apply through their home local authority.

For children with SEND, moving between year groups includes summer transfer meetings, opportunities to meet the next teacher and visits to the next classroom. Information passes to the receiving teacher beforehand. This supports continuity of care and learning; it does not secure admission.

Nursery uniform consists of green tracksuit bottoms, a green sweatshirt bearing the school badge and a white polo shirt, which may have a badge or be plain. Add wellies and a waterproof coat for outdoor learning. Clothing should carry the child's name.

Contact the school office on 0151 260 5522 or email admin@st-margaretsanfield.liverpool.sch.uk for enquiries. Appointments to see the school can be arranged through the office. A free communication app carries school messages, with personal invitations managed by the office.