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Nursery at St Thomas More Catholic First 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Welly Wednesday, songs and rhymes, and a classroom curiosity cube give this pre-school its character: learning starts with things children can explore, talk about and try. St Thomas More Catholic First School’s pre-school opened in September 2023 for children aged 3-4, within the school’s Early Years unit in Redditch.
Catholic faith shapes the teaching and celebrations. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 24 and 25 September 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Play gives adults opportunities to join children’s learning, observe their interests and introduce challenges. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together physical development, language and emotional development with number, literacy, creative work and exploration of the world. For parents, that means learning stretches beyond early reading: friendships, movement and expressing ideas also have a place in the day.
Read Write Inc. provides the phonics approach. Pre-school children begin with rhymes and songs, then start learning sounds in the summer term. Conversation, storytelling and role play give them opportunities to practise vocabulary. A home corner, shop and pizzeria turn familiar experiences into imaginative play, giving children something concrete to talk about.
White Rose Mathematics uses objects and pictures before abstract ideas, with Numicon and tens frames among the resources. Children can handle the materials as they work with number. The classroom curiosity cube encourages questions and investigation, while outdoor play gives them opportunities to move and judge the space around them. Welly Wednesday is the pre-school’s named outdoor activity, including noticing seasonal changes in weather and surroundings.
Music follows Charanga, with singing, percussion and activities involving rhythm and beat. Religious education uses Learning and Growing as People of God, with two lessons per week across early years. Prayer and participation in school masses are part of this Catholic setting’s early years experience.
In September 2024, early years children settled promptly, became more independent through routines and collaborated successfully on problems. Staff helped children interact with one another, while activities extended their thinking. These findings give parents a useful picture of how learning and care work together.
Emotional understanding receives everyday attention: children learn about feelings, develop friendships and practise resolving disagreements peacefully. Personal care is also a learning opportunity, including healthy eating, managing their own needs and using cutlery. The early years team welcomes communication with parents and carers. Curriculum Information Meetings include early years, giving families another opportunity to understand the learning approach.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and confers no admissions priority. Families must make a separate application, considered against the same oversubscription criteria as applications from children who attend elsewhere. Choosing the pre-school therefore leaves the Reception application as a separate task.
For September 2027 entry, apply through the school admissions process of the local authority where you live, naming St Thomas More Catholic First School. The deadline is 15th January 2027. A Supplementary Information Form must also reach the school by that date. Keep both parts of the application in mind: the school form does not replace the local authority application.
The 15 hour funded options are morning sessions from 8.45 am to 11.45 am or afternoon sessions from 12 noon to 3.00 pm. For eligible children, 30 hour funded places run from 8.45 am to 2.45 pm. The different finishing times matter when planning collection.
Contact the school office for a pre-school application form or to arrange a visit and meet the team. The office can be reached on 01527 525821 or at office@stm.magnificat.org.uk. A visit offers a practical opportunity to see the provision before applying.
The pre-school is for children aged 3-4 and opened in September 2023.
There are 15 hour funded morning or afternoon places. Morning sessions run from 8.45 am to 11.45 am, and afternoons from 12 noon to 3.00 pm. Subject to eligibility, 30 hour funded places run from 8.45 am to 2.45 pm.
Pre-school children take part in Welly Wednesday, including exploring seasonal changes. Early years children also play outdoors and practise movement and spatial awareness.
No. Attendance neither guarantees a place nor gives admissions priority. For September 2027 entry, families must apply through their home local authority and return the Supplementary Information Form to the school by 15th January 2027.
Contact the school office to arrange a pre-school visit. Call 01527 525821 or email office@stm.magnificat.org.uk.
