Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Nursery Review

A classroom opposite Reception and a shared outdoor learning space give this nursery a clear place within school life. Our Lady of Lourdes has 26 nursery places for children aged three and four, with full-time and part-time attendance. It sits within the Catholic primary school on Lock Lane in Partington.

Catholic faith shapes the setting's character. The school describes inclusion, mutual respect and helping one another as part of its values. Nursery children gradually join assemblies, theme days and Masses, so their experience extends beyond their own classroom.

Play and conversation shape the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for the curriculum, with activities chosen by children alongside learning guided by adults. Continuous provision means learning through the play opportunities available within the environment. Children have room to pursue an interest, while adults also introduce planned learning.

Language receives explicit attention from Nursery onwards. Adults introduce vocabulary and model language in conversations with children. This gives everyday exchanges a teaching purpose: a child's play can become an opportunity to practise words and express an idea. The school also plans for routine and consistency, giving activities a recurring structure.

Learning takes place indoors and outside. The nursery classroom faces the Reception classroom, and the two groups use a large outdoor learning area together. Outdoor provision is therefore part of the learning environment rather than simply a break from classroom activity.

For art, early-years teachers use Development Matters and plan around children's interests and their next steps. This connects creative learning to what an individual child is ready to try. Computing also forms part of early-years continuous provision, linked mainly to learning about the world. These are elements of the play-based curriculum, alongside opportunities for children and families to enjoy reading.

A class teacher and a teaching assistant make up the named nursery teaching structure. Settling starts before the first session: meetings with parents prepare new starters, and early-years teachers make home visits before children begin at the start of the autumn term. September entry is staggered so staff can get to know the children.

Additional needs can be discussed from the outset. Liaison with a child's health visitor on entry to Nursery is one way the school identifies support needs. Its SEND pathway brings parents into agreeing interventions and targets, followed by a six-week period of monitoring and adaptation. Further review can lead to involvement from outside agencies.

For children receiving SEND support, teachers meet parents at least termly to discuss needs and progress. Individual provision maps explain the support, its frequency, who provides it and how progress will be assessed. They also record outside agency involvement, so families can see who else contributes to support. That gives families a concrete basis for reviewing how help is working.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the normal deadline. Nursery attendance is not included among the school's current priority criteria, so familiarity with the school should not be treated as an admissions advantage.

The practical transition is a separate matter. A classroom opposite Reception, shared outdoor learning and gradual participation in assemblies, Masses and theme days introduce nursery children to wider school routines. Those links support familiarity; they do not secure a place.

Both full-time and part-time nursery places are offered. Children receive 15 hours of free childcare, while some parents may qualify for up to 30 hours. The qualification condition matters when planning attendance.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0161 775 2847 or email office@ololtr.co.uk. Application forms can be obtained in paper form from the office and must be completed and brought back there. Families can also arrange a school tour after making initial contact with the School Business Manager.