St Anne's College Grammar School Nursery Review

Raised planting beds, ballet in the school hall and outings to St Anne’s Beach give this nursery a character beyond its main playroom. It caters for children aged 2-4 within St Anne's College Grammar School, with the nursery accommodation on one floor. Groups usually separate younger and older children, but the arrangement changes with their needs.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good following visits in October and December 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. At that time, children were keen to learn, and the early years curriculum was generally thoughtfully planned.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives the day its framework: learning to communicate, manage feelings, move confidently and explore ideas through play. Practitioners use Development Matters alongside the statutory EYFS guidance when planning activities, adapting tasks and resources to children’s development. Music and movement, PE and ballet add physical activity to the mix. Nursery children also sing, learn rhymes and explore percussion instruments, giving them practical ways to join in before reading or writing takes centre stage.

Indoors, a role-play kitchen, sand and water trays and a carpeted space for books and circle time support different kinds of play. Resources sit within children’s reach, while movable furniture allows space to be rearranged for specialist equipment. These are useful details for children learning to choose activities independently.

Outside, the Early Years garden combines grass with raised beds for growing plants; an even tarmac area accommodates walking frames and wheelchairs. Resources go outdoors daily and are adapted for the children attending. Trips extend that exploration: Ashton Gardens, Witch Wood and Blackpool Zoo are among the destinations, with school minibuses used for outings. In October and December 2023, nursery learning included songs, stories and rhymes, while early years children benefited from visits to farms, the park and beach.

Each child has a key person who talks with parents about nursery life and learning at home. Learning journeys bring together staff observations, family contributions and progress tracking. Parents can look through them at any time, with regular meetings offering space to discuss development or concerns. The progress check for children aged 2-3 can lead to targeted activities, a learning plan or, with parental consent, advice from speech and language services or an Inclusion Teacher.

Parents are encouraged to visit with their child before starting, where possible. Short nursery visits are planned with parents. The settling period is discussed around the child’s and family’s preferences. Food is prepared on site: children receive fruit and a drink during their session, and parents can discuss allergies or dietary needs with the catering manager. Afternoon tea accompanies later sessions.

Accessibility. The nursery building cannot accommodate wheelchair access, although the hall and tarmac play area can. Families needing step-free access should weigh that physical constraint alongside the adaptable resources.

Regulatory concerns. ISI’s additional inspection on 15 December 2025 and 22 January 2026 found unmet school-wide requirements concerning information for families, complaints and leadership oversight. Responses at the second and third complaint stages did not consistently meet the required timescales. These concerns matter when families need information or raise an issue.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application for Reception; entry to the school’s Infant Department is by interview. Treat that application as a distinct decision from booking nursery sessions.

Transition arrangements cover children moving into the school’s Reception or leaving for another setting. They also take account of additional or special educational needs, so preparation for the next classroom is considered separately from admission.

Term-time opening runs from 7.45am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Registration and session-booking forms come from the school office, and families can arrange a nursery visit at a convenient time.

The nursery describes funding of 16 hours weekly for children aged 3 and 4, with 30 hours for eligible children, and 16 hours for eligible two-year-olds. Ask the school for current charges. A royal blue and gold sweatshirt is compulsory; blazers, boaters and hats are optional.

Parking is on the road, and there is storage for buggies and car seats. Parents sign children in and out and must tell staff beforehand if another person will collect them.