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Nursery at St Benedict's Catholic Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, water play and the freedom to choose between indoors and outdoors give this nursery its character. Part of St Benedict's Catholic Primary School on Mersey Road in Redcar, it combines learning through play with a Catholic setting: stories and the seasons shape the early years curriculum, alongside religious education topics.
The nursery classroom teacher also holds an assistant headteacher role, and the early years team includes teaching assistants. For eligible children, the 30-hour childcare offer starts in the term following their third birthday. These places are limited, so the longer attendance pattern is a practical consideration for families.
Children choose some of their own play, with adults also guiding activities and conversations. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, movement and emotional development with early literacy, maths, creative expression and learning about the world. In parent terms, learning involves talking, playing, making and exploring, alongside activities led by staff.
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides the nursery's Foundations for Phonics approach. Children practise joining spoken sounds into words each day, develop language through rhymes and stories, and concentrate on sounds around them and in music. The emphasis is on listening and spoken language, giving children a starting point for learning to read.
Outdoor learning is a choice throughout the year, including wet weather. Large loose parts, water activities on a large scale and creative play give children opportunities to explore outdoors. Both indoor and outdoor environments are adapted to support learning. A nursery Pirate Party illustrates how activities can come together: children searched for treasure, sang sea shanties and danced. That is a specific celebration rather than a daily timetable, but it shows play bringing movement, language and shared activity together.
Parents concerned about additional needs can speak to their nursery teacher and the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO). The teacher and SENCO consider the child's needs together, with parents able to discuss both support in nursery and help at home. The early years approach gives all staff responsibility for supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), rather than leaving inclusion to one specialist.
Arbor is the school's preferred communication system; Parent Mail is also used for updates, with login details obtained through the office. These provide practical channels for keeping families informed.
For children attending the extended sessions, lunch can be a school dinner at an additional charge or a healthy packed lunch brought from home. School dinners and extended sessions are paid for beforehand through Parent Pay, so families need to factor meal choice into their arrangements.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the local authority's Common Application Form and meet its closing date. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception are separate decisions.
Parents applying to this Catholic school should also complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF). If applications exceed available places, its information helps determine the relevant admissions category; failing to provide it can affect that category. Keep this paperwork alongside the local authority application rather than treating nursery enrolment as securing the next place.
For children entitled to 15 funded hours, the attendance choices are five mornings, 8:30am to 11:30am, or five afternoons, 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Children entitled to 30 funded hours can attend five full days, 8:30am to 2:15pm, or five extended days, 8:30am to 3:15pm. The extended option carries an additional charge for the period from 2:15pm to 3:15pm; contact the school for current charges.
A 30-hour place can be confirmed only after the school verifies eligibility. Parents bring their 11-digit validation code, National Insurance number and child's birth certificate to the office for checking with the local authority. Nursery enquiries can be made through the school office on 01642 495770.
Children entitled to 15 funded hours can attend five morning or five afternoon sessions. Those entitled to 30 funded hours can choose five full days or five extended days, with an additional charge for the extension.
They can choose outdoor play in all weathers, using large loose parts and taking part in large-scale water and creative activities.
It uses Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised Foundations for Phonics, focusing on daily spoken blending, language through stories and rhymes, and attentive listening.
For extended sessions, families can pay for a school dinner or provide a healthy packed lunch. School dinners are paid for in advance through Parent Pay.
No. Parents must apply separately through the local authority's Common Application Form by its closing date and should also complete the school's Supplementary Information Form.
