Our Lady and St Patrick's Nursery, Maryport

Stories, songs and learning to play together give the youngest children their start at Our Lady and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Maryport. The school provides education for two-year-olds alongside its nursery provision, within its Early Years Foundation Stage unit. This is a school setting with a Catholic character, rather than a separate nursery.

At the Ofsted inspection on 1 and 2 April 2025, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Language and social learning are concrete features of the early years experience. Children listen to stories and join in with rhymes and songs, building foundations for learning to read. For parents, that gives a useful picture of learning at this age: listening, speaking and becoming familiar with the sounds of language matter alongside playing with other children.

In April 2025, two-year-olds were learning promptly to cooperate in play and learning. Adults encourage consideration for others from this youngest group, so getting used to being part of a group is itself part of the education.

The morning session for children attending part time ends at 11.45am. Nursery wraparound allows children to remain beyond their 15 funded hours when required, giving families an option to extend attendance beyond the shorter session.

A home visit forms part of joining for every new child. This offers families an opportunity to discuss their child before the move into a school setting. The Early Years toilets also have a shower, a concrete care facility within the unit.

Support for additional needs sits within the school's SEND arrangements. Classroom changes depend on the individual child: examples include sensory breaks, a quieter place to work and equipment such as fidget toys or a wobble seat. These are possible adjustments, rather than a fixed package for every child.

Parents are encouraged to help review the targets in their child's SEND Support Plan. The SEND coordinator evaluates provision each half term using EduKey Provision Maps, giving that support a regular review cycle. A trained teaching assistant delivers the programmes for targeted children, with assessment and support planning provided each term by an NHS Speech Language Therapist.

Physical access. The school occupies a split level building with partial accessibility. Main areas have wide doors, and the hall is accessible to all. Families with mobility needs should consider the building's layout when assessing its suitability.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions: familiarity with the school does not secure admission.

For an initial enquiry, telephone 01900 812582 or email admin@st-pat-maryport.cumbria.sch.uk. The school discusses place availability and explains the application process. Prospective families can also arrange a look around, a useful opportunity to consider the setting before joining.

The practical distinction is between the part-time morning finish at 11.45am and nursery wraparound beyond 15 funded hours. Contact the school for current charges. Keep the attendance arrangement clear when planning childcare, since the option to extend nursery hours is separate from the Reception application that follows.