Nursery at St Mary's Catholic Primary School

Play alongside structured learning gives St Mary's nursery its shape, within a Catholic primary school in Caddington. Children can join from the academic year after their third birthday. This is the Nursery class; the school also has a separate Pre-School for children aged 2 to 3.

The early years provision received a Good judgement at the Ofsted inspection of 26 and 27 April 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school.

The morning runs from 8.45am to 11.45am, with optional afternoon hours extending to 3.20pm. Families can therefore choose a morning or add time later in the day.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines planned teaching with learning through play. Listening, speaking, staying with a task and cooperating with other children are explicit aims. Adults join children's play and observe it, using those exchanges to develop knowledge and skills. Learning includes language, movement, emotions and relationships, alongside mathematics, English, creative expression and understanding the world. Letters and Sounds is the named phonics scheme for early years. Religious education in EYFS follows the New Curriculum Directory, giving the Catholic character a place in learning too.

Outdoor play is part of nursery life: children keep wellingtons at school for it. Practical clothing matters.

Curriculum progression. In April 2022, some early years plans did not distinguish learning clearly between Pre-School, Nursery and Reception. Children could consequently undertake the same activity despite being at different stages. Clearer steps in knowledge and skills were required, a consideration for families assessing how activities challenge their child.

Relationships were a positive feature of early years in April 2022. Children showed confidence, and adults' interactions helped them express themselves and understand emotions, both their own and other people's. Those exchanges support the social side of learning as well as speech.

An Early Years SENCO forms part of the staff team, giving families a role focused on special educational needs to discuss support with. The school aims to include children across different needs and abilities.

Milk or water is offered during each nursery session. Foundation Stage children can also have a morning fruit or vegetable snack. For children using extended care, Breakfast Club includes breakfast and After School Club includes a snack.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Central Bedfordshire Council using the normal admissions process, by the normal deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions: a nursery place alone does not settle the later allocation.

The nursery accepts 30 Hours Funding and offers extended care. Contact the school for current charges. Nursery application forms can be obtained from the office, which also arranges visits: call 01582 602420 or email admin@stmarysprimary.org.uk.

Breakfast Club operates from 8.00am to 8.50am; After School Club runs from 3.20pm to 6.00pm. Both accept nursery children and provide indoor and outdoor activities led by school staff. Registration requires approval from the headteacher, followed by session booking and payment through ParentMail. The clubs are often fully booked, so families relying on them need to secure their bookings.

Uniform includes a white polo shirt and a royal blue jumper or cardigan bearing the school logo. Nursery children may wear grey, black or navy joggers. Black shoes or plain black trainers are accepted, with Velcro preferred. Keep wellingtons at school and label clothing and shoes. Nursery children do not need PE kit.