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Nursery at St Michael and All Angels 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Familiar stories, a focus on communication and three-hour sessions give this nursery its shape. It belongs to St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School in Kirkby, with morning and afternoon provision. Children can begin in the term containing their third birthday, making this an introduction to school life from age three.
Relationships are a strength, but teaching needs attention. Ofsted’s report dated 6 May 2026 gave the school’s early years provision a Needs attention judgement. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. For parents, the distinction between children feeling comfortable and receiving consistently effective teaching matters here.
Communication and language are priorities in the early years programme. Learning is organised in a sequence connecting Nursery with Reception, rather than treating the two stages as unrelated. Familiar-story retelling and daily phonics feature in early years: children work on connecting letters with sounds. These activities give a concrete picture of the foundations being taught, although the findings cover early years together.
Adult support during play is less consistent. In May 2026, opportunities to expand children’s vocabulary were sometimes missed, and conversations did not reliably take their thinking further. Early writing also needed closer guidance: some children had difficulties with how they held pencils or formed letters. These are practical weaknesses in the help children receive while learning.
Some parts of the provision also needed development so that children could practise across every learning area. The improvement priority is clear: more purposeful conversations between adults and children, alongside activities that give children secure foundations throughout early years.
Children’s confidence rests on positive relationships. Ofsted’s May 2026 findings offer reassurance about settling: adult support helped children gain independence, and children willingly joined activities. This provides reassurance about the emotional experience of starting nursery, even alongside the teaching concerns.
Support for additional needs involves families and other professionals. Early years staff recognised special educational needs and disabilities promptly and provided suitable help, making parental knowledge part of understanding each child. The school also has a SEN coordinator covering early years and Key Stage 1.
Before starting, families are invited to a nursery visit with their child during the summer term. Once children attend, termly nursery newsletters keep parents informed about events, providing a regular point of contact with classroom life.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through Knowsley Council, using its online school admissions route or a Local Authority Preference Form. Families applying under the faith criteria must also submit a supplementary information form, obtainable through the school office or Knowsley’s admissions page.
The curriculum sequence from Nursery to Reception concerns continuity of learning. It should not be read as an admissions advantage. Keep the two decisions separate: choosing the nursery is one step, applying for Reception is another.
Morning nursery runs from 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoon nursery runs from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Each session pattern totals 15 hours per week. The fixed start and finish times are the practical consideration for families arranging collection around work or other children.
To register interest, request an Expression of Interest Form from the administrative team on 0151 477 8400. Return it with a copy of the child’s birth certificate to join the nursery waiting list, and keep contact details updated so the school can reach you when a place becomes free.
The school is on Sidney Powell Avenue, Westvale, Kirkby, L32 0TP. Disabled parking is available, with additional parking at the nearby church when the school car park is busy.
Children start in the term containing their third birthday.
Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am, and afternoon sessions from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Each pattern totals 15 hours per week.
Ask the administrative team for an Expression of Interest Form, then return it with a copy of your child’s birth certificate. Your child will be added to the waiting list.
No. A separate application is required through Knowsley Council. Applicants using the faith criteria must also complete a supplementary information form.
The Ofsted report dated 6 May 2026 judged the school’s early years provision Needs attention. Positive relationships and support for additional needs sat alongside concerns about adult interactions, early writing and learning opportunities.
