St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Conversation gives this nursery its character. At the May 2022 inspection, staff prioritised language development from children's first days in nursery, with stories, rhymes and discussion giving young children reasons to listen and speak. Nursery, also called FS1, takes children at 3+ within St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School in Monkston Park, Milton Keynes.

At the Ofsted inspection on 4 and 5 May 2022, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play and planned learning work together here. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers children's development through communication, relationships and physical skills, alongside early reading and writing, mathematics, creativity and understanding their surroundings. For parents, that means learning extends beyond letters and numbers: expressing a need, managing feelings and handling tools count too.

Activities respond to children's interests, and real objects are used where possible to connect play with everyday experience. Staff keep track of children's achievements and next steps, then use those observations to adjust learning. The nursery environment is adapted around the children using it, with independence an explicit aim.

Physical learning has concrete tasks. Nursery children practise controlling pencils, cutting paper and becoming more independent with eating and dressing. Dough disco and Write Dance are named activities in the nursery's physical development programme. These give movement and hand control a place alongside language learning. The wider school grounds also include an on-site Forest School area and an allotment.

In May 2022, staff made frequent opportunities for nursery children to talk, while early years children encountered rhymes, stories and books. Language was a clear teaching priority.

Settling begins with Stay and Play sessions for children and their parents, alongside a parents' meeting. Some children need a more gradual start; an individual transition plan can build attendance over time. This gives families a way to shape the start around their child's needs.

Class Dojo learning journeys provide regular updates, and staff share children's strengths, achievements and next steps with parents. Families can therefore connect what happens in nursery with conversations and activities at home.

For children with SEND, support follows an assess, plan, do and review cycle involving the class teacher, SENCO and parents. Support plans are moving from Home School Plans to Individual Support Plans during the 2026-2027 academic year. Termly meetings give parents a recurring opportunity to discuss provision and progress.

For 30-hour children, families must send a packed lunch during the first half term, when children eat in the classroom; lunches must not be ordered from St Paul's during this period. After the first half term, children can have a lunch ordered from St Paul's or a packed lunch from home. Cool Milk administers the school's milk scheme. Nursery physical learning also includes developing independence with cutlery, making eating part of learning practical skills.

A separate application. Accepting a nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place at St Bernadette's. Families must apply again through the council and return supplementary paperwork directly to the school. For the September 2026 intake, the application period closed on 15 January 2026; that deadline has passed.

Transition support is a separate matter from admission. For children with SEND moving between year groups, teachers share information about needs and successful support, and children have opportunities to meet their next teacher and see their next classroom before the summer holidays. Extra visits, photographs and social stories can be added where needed. Familiarity helps prepare a child for change; it does not secure admission.

Two attendance patterns start at 8:45am. The part-time, 15-hour option finishes at 11:45am; the full-time, 30-hour option ends at 2:45pm. Those collection times are a practical consideration when fitting nursery around work or siblings.

Wraparound care. The school's breakfast and after-school care clubs serve Reception to Year 6. Families choosing nursery should plan around the nursery session times.

Nursery application details come from the school office. School tours can also be booked through the office on 01908 692438, and enquiries can be emailed to office@stbernadettesschool.com.