Sacred Heart Nursery Review

A morning of learning or a day with lunch and an afternoon session: Sacred Heart’s nursery has two distinct rhythms. Foundation 1 (F1) is the nursery provision at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy on Southcliffe Road in Carlton, Nottingham. It has a nursery teacher within the wider early years team.

The Catholic setting matters to the choice. Sacred Heart welcomes families from religious and non-religious backgrounds who support its Catholic ethos. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 29 and 30 April 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school.

Part-time children attend from 8:45am to 11:45am. For full-time children, the morning is followed by lunch from 11:45am to 12:15pm, then an afternoon session from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Lunch marks a clear break between the two learning sessions.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum gives learning a sequence, with developmental milestones guiding what children work towards. In April 2025, the early years curriculum was organised clearly, activities helped children become more independent, and staff supported their language and communication skilfully. The emphasis reaches beyond completing activities: children build the ability to express themselves and do more for themselves.

Little Wandle is the named phonics programme used in Nursery. Daily phonics develops reading and spelling, with reading books matched to the learning. Book corners provide space for sharing books and reading independently. These give books a place in the day alongside sound work.

Sacred Heart also has indoor and outdoor early years spaces. Within the wider school grounds, the Forest School area includes a natural learning circle. The early years team aims to develop social relationships, independence and confidence with age-appropriate risk-taking, making exploration part of its intended approach.

A nursery teacher and an EYFS lead provide the early years teaching structure. For families considering additional support, the school’s SEND coordinator can be contacted through admin@sacredheart.notts.sch.uk. This gives parents a direct route to discuss their child’s needs.

Across the school, staff receive basic safeguarding training, and a designated safeguarding lead works alongside deputy leads. These roles give child-protection concerns a defined route for action. Families can raise safeguarding concerns through the school office on 0115 911 2117.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process, meeting the deadline for their application year. Applications are coordinated by Nottinghamshire County Council or Nottingham City Council, depending on where the family lives.

For a baptised Catholic child applying on faith grounds, parents must also complete the supplementary information form and send the baptism certificate to the school office before the closing date. This is an additional step alongside the council application. Treat the next school place as a separate decision and application, even when a child already attends F1.

The morning-only pattern suits families seeking a shorter nursery session; full-time provision adds the lunchtime and afternoon blocks. The school office is open from 8am to 4pm, giving families a contact window beyond nursery session times.

Visits can be arranged by calling 0115 911 2117 or emailing admin@sacredheart.notts.sch.uk. School tours include the early years spaces and opportunities to meet teaching and support staff. Families can also use the visit-request form, after which the office team arranges a date and time.