St Mary and St Paul's CofE Primary School Nursery

Three-hour sessions, play indoors and out, and early reading through RWInc give this nursery a clear shape. Children join from the term following their third birthday, entering the nursery class within St Mary and St Paul's CofE Primary School on Bryer Road in Prescot. Christian values translate into everyday expectations: being kind, helping someone else and learning to be a friend.

At the Ofsted inspection on 22 and 23 February 2023, early years provision was graded Good. This is an early years judgement within the school's inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Choice and group learning alternate across the session. Children use a name card for self-registration, match it with their photograph and attempt to write their name. They then choose an activity. These small tasks give recognising a name and making decisions a practical purpose.

Songs signal a pause for tidying and gathering on the carpet. Adults lead group learning before children choose where to continue, including whether to work outdoors or inside. The classrooms are light and airy, with an outdoor area shared with Reception. That gives the nursery both an indoor base and space to take learning outside.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum aims to build the knowledge and skills children need for their next stage of school. Here, play sits alongside focused teaching: RWInc introduces early reading, while maths sessions develop early number learning. Listening games, speech and language activities and physical development tasks also feature during a typical week. Teacher or teaching assistant sessions can include individual work or small groups, allowing targeted support alongside children's own choices.

Stories and rhymes bring children together towards the session's end. In February 2023, children across the early years achieved well. Curriculum planning still needed attention: although learning had been mapped in most subjects, essential knowledge was less clearly defined in some, limiting how securely some pupils remembered it. That qualification matters alongside the positive early years judgement.

Snack time has its own area and a handwashing routine. Toileting is followed by another handwash, making personal care part of the session's rhythm. The nursery day also allows for children to remain for lunch or after school club, depending on their arrangements.

Emotional learning has a practical place too. In February 2023, early years children felt secure, developed belonging and learnt words for their feelings. Older pupils supported them on church visits and as reading buddies, giving younger children contact with the wider school community.

The school pastoral structure includes a SENDCO, a learning mentor and a family support worker, with staff working alongside outside agencies to support children and families. These are distinct routes for learning needs, children's pastoral concerns and family support. ParentPay carries email communications to parents and carers as well as nursery care bookings, so registration forms part of getting started.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal school admissions process by the applicable deadline. The school admissions page directs families to Knowsley's school admissions information.

The nursery and Reception classes work closely and share outdoor space. That creates continuity in the surroundings children use, but it does not replace the separate admissions process.

Morning sessions run from 8:40am to 11:40am; afternoon sessions run from 12:20pm to 3:20pm. Each lasts three hours. The nursery offers 15 funded hours a week for children aged three, with 30 hours for some children depending on parents' work circumstances. Additional sessions can be purchased, subject to space and availability.

Consumables are addressed separately: parents wishing to supply their own instead of paying for particular items can discuss this with the nursery. Contact the school for current additional-session charges. ParentPay is used to book nursery care and make applicable payments.

Nursery children may wear their own clothes or choose a white polo shirt. For enquiries, telephone 0151 426 6869 or speak to the front desk. Visits can be arranged by contacting the school, giving families a chance to see the provision before choosing it.