Mighty Minis Nursery at St Mary Magdalen's

Planning play, making choices and investigating together give Mighty Minis its character. This is the nursery at St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School in Penwortham, welcoming children from 3 years old within a Catholic school. Nursery and Reception sit within the same early years staff team.

At the Ofsted inspection on 14 and 15 May 2024, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play involves children's own ideas. Children help decide what to explore, work together and support one another, while adults observe their activity and step in to develop concentration, movement or language. The emphasis is on investigation and participation. For a parent, that means learning includes making decisions and testing ideas, rather than simply listening to an adult.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes the curriculum. In everyday language, its focus here includes talking and understanding, physical skills, managing feelings and relationships, and the beginnings of literacy and mathematics. Activities develop both larger movements and finer hand control, building skills needed for later writing. Conversation is part of the learning, too.

Planning works in half-termly blocks, with adjustments for the children in each group and individual needs. Daily exploration gives children opportunities to revisit skills. In May 2024, the early years curriculum's essential knowledge had been organised into a clear sequence, giving learning a planned direction.

Curriculum development. Some subject sequences beginning in the early years still needed finalising in May 2024. This was a school curriculum concern, alongside the positive early years judgement, and matters for how learning connects across stages.

Settling receives practical attention. In May 2024, children in early years received effective help with joining and became familiar with routines quickly. Early years taster sessions start with parents alongside their children, then build towards children attending independently. This gives families a gradual introduction to separation.

Support for additional needs includes adapting how learning is delivered. In May 2024, staff understood the needs of children in early years, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and adjusted teaching so they could participate alongside their peers.

Parents with concerns can arrange a discussion with the class teacher or SEND coordinator through the school office. That provides a direct route for talking about a child's needs and agreeing support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Lancashire County Council's online process and submit the school's supplementary form. Where a child has been baptised, proof of baptism is also required. Apply by the normal deadline for your child's entry year.

Transition activities are separate from admission. Children have an internal transition day with their next teacher. For pupils affected by change, an enhanced transition programme runs for six weeks and is delivered by a teaching assistant from the new class. This supports preparation for a different classroom; it does not secure admission.

Morning nursery runs from 8:45 to 11:45, and the afternoon session from 12:15 to 3:15. A further nursery slot runs from 11:45 to 12:15. These nursery times differ from the main school's timetable, so use them when planning collection.

For nursery enquiries or to arrange a school visit, contact the office on 01772 742351 or email office@st-marymagdalen.lancs.sch.uk. The office opens from 8:30 to 4:00 each day.