St Paul's Catholic Primary School Nursery

Pirate ships and fire engines become play props at St Paul's Nursery, with children's interests helping staff decide what to make. That gives imaginative play a concrete starting point. The nursery belongs to St Paul's Catholic Primary School on Bourne Road in Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, and forms part of its early years provision. In November 2023, it catered for children from two years old.

Conversation, stories and growing independence shape the nursery curriculum. Children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), supported by Development Matters. In parent language, this brings learning to talk, manage feelings and move confidently together with early literacy, maths, creativity and discovering the world. Communication and personal development receive particular emphasis, so learning to listen and play together matters alongside learning sounds.

Adult guidance alternates with children's own exploration. Keyworker groups, story sessions and individual conversations sit alongside Discovery Time, when children's interests direct their activity. Staff refresh the learning provision weekly. This gives children opportunities to return to familiar activities while encountering new possibilities.

Indoor and outdoor classrooms both have a place in curriculum planning. Pictures, labels and phonics displays reinforce learning, making the surroundings part of the teaching. Music and art specialists also contribute to early years planning, connecting creative activity with children's interests and topics.

For preschool children, summer learning includes Read Write Inc and a reading challenge involving ten familiar books. These sit alongside daily stories and rhymes, giving early reading both sound work and repetition. At the November 2023 inspection, early years staff understood the essential learning securely, helping children learn successfully. Phonics already began in Nursery.

Keyworker groups recur through the nursery year, providing a regular structure for smaller-group interaction. The nursery manager also works as a key worker and holds an accredited early years SENCo role alongside deputy safeguarding responsibilities. For families whose child needs additional support, that brings inclusion responsibilities into the nursery team itself.

Autumn learning begins with settling, gathering parents' views and establishing routines. Self-help skills continue across the year, keeping everyday independence alongside play and language development. The emphasis is on learning the routines as well as joining the activities.

Tapestry provides a password-protected online learning journal. Parents can contribute photographs and observations from home, helping staff connect nursery experiences with family life. Parents' evenings, learning journeys and progress summaries provide further opportunities to follow development, alongside day-to-day conversations where appropriate. Early years activities also include Stay and Play, Show and Tell, and workshops in phonics and maths, giving parents practical ways to participate.

Attending St Paul's Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process and meet the relevant deadline.

Transition preparation is a separate matter. A transition plan is in place by the summer term, with the early years and nursery leads working together on the move. Summer nursery learning also addresses school readiness and self-help skills. These preparations support the change in routines; they do not secure admission.

Nursery applications can be made using an online form or a printable form. The school is on Bourne Road, Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, PO6 4JD. Families can contact the school office on 023 9237 5488 or email admin@st-pauls.portsmouth.sch.uk to enquire about joining.