Windsor Community Primary School Nursery Review

Stories, songs and conversation give Windsor’s nursery its character. Communication is a clear curriculum priority, with daily chances to practise listening and speaking through play. This is the school’s own nursery on Upper Hill Street in Toxteth, Liverpool, with a morning session rather than a full school day.

Ofsted’s report dated 28 April 2026 judged the school’s early years provision to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

The morning runs from 8.45am to 11.45am. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), learning follows children’s development across seven areas. Speaking and understanding, physical skills, and managing feelings and relationships take priority as foundations for later learning. For parents, that means conversation and personal development belong alongside early reading and number work.

Role play, stories and singing provide daily opportunities to use language. Children can rehearse words in different situations, rather than only answering an adult’s questions. Music adds another named element: Charanga supports the music curriculum, and children in EYFS have opportunities for drumming with the visiting practitioners Beatlife. These give children ways to participate through sound and rhythm as well as speech.

Across early years, learning is organised so that new knowledge builds on earlier experiences. Children practise both outside and indoors. In April 2026, early years teaching supported children’s understanding of letters, sounds and numbers, while conversations with staff developed their language. Progress was positive for children with SEND and those facing disadvantage too. These are findings about the wider early years provision, rather than promises about an individual child’s progress.

A morning nursery teacher works alongside learning support staff. The team sits within an EYFS structure led by the deputy headteacher. In April 2026, children formed affectionate relationships with adults and became comfortable with school routines promptly. Consistent routines and appropriate care helped them feel secure enough to engage in learning.

Starting school includes a summer EYFS introduction day and a meeting for parents, giving families an opportunity to understand routines before September entry. For children already known to have SEND, the SENCO meets their parents before they start, so concerns and possible adjustments can be discussed early.

Support follows the Graduated Approach, using Assess, Plan, Do, Review. Staff identify needs, agree help with families, put it into practice and revisit its effect. Parents can raise concerns with the class teacher, with the SENCO involved where further support is needed. Termly SENCO drop-in sessions provide another route for discussion. The school also has ramps and an accessible toilet, practical features for families considering physical access.

Early identification is a strength of the early years work: in April 2026, additional needs received attention even when children joined partway through the year. This matters for families whose child needs support from the beginning, rather than waiting for the next intake.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer priority under Windsor’s listed admission criteria. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Familiarity with staff and routines does not replace that application.

For September 2026 entry, Liverpool residents applied through Liverpool City Council, with a deadline of 15 January 2026. That admissions cycle is now past. Families living outside Liverpool use their home local authority’s application process. Windsor’s criteria prioritise looked-after and previously looked-after children, exceptional medical or social needs, and siblings, with distance used to allocate places within priority groups. Medical or social priority requires documentary evidence submitted with the preference form by the closing date and assessed by council officers. Nursery attendance is not a priority criterion.

Morning collection. The nursery session ends at 11.45am, so families need to plan around a midday collection. Windsor’s breakfast club is for Reception upwards, and the school has no onsite wraparound care.

To apply for nursery, complete an application form at Windsor. School visits can be arranged by calling 0151 709 6769 for an appointment. This gives parents a direct enquiry route before making their decision.

The school uniform includes a red cardigan or jumper, a white shirt or polo, and grey or black bottoms. Plain red knitwear is accepted alongside branded items. Black shoes or plain black trainers complete the uniform, and clothing should be labelled with the child’s name.