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Nursery at St Martin's Catholic Primary School and Preschool
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Handwashing before snack and toothbrushing afterwards give Tiny Steps a practical emphasis: learning to look after yourself starts young here. This is the governor-led preschool at St Martin's Catholic Primary School and Preschool in Murdishaw, Runcorn. Its Tiny Steps class takes children aged two to four and has its own classroom within the school's early years provision.
Ofsted's April 2026 report judged early years to meet the Expected standard and recorded a Nursery for 36 children alongside provision for two-year-olds, under the school's registration. That judgement covers early years across the school. For parents, the distinctive nursery detail is the combination of play, language development and everyday independence.
Painting, construction and exploration are part of the children's learning. Adults introduce vocabulary as children play, giving them words to describe what they are doing. The curriculum builds learning progressively through play, so these activities have a teaching purpose as well as giving children room to explore.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning about relationships, movement and communication with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Development Matters guides the approach. In practice, children are encouraged to investigate, persist when something is difficult and try out their own solutions. Preschool maths also draws on Birth to 5 Matters, rather than using the schemes taught to older pupils.
Early reading has named routines. Read Write Inc. Ready uses focused sessions led by adults and nursery rhymes to develop children's awareness of sounds. Fred Talk introduces blending; Fred Fingers follows to help children identify sounds within words. These give families a clear sense of how play and talk connect with preparation for reading.
Outdoor learning needs development. The April 2026 early years findings called for deeper learning across the curriculum, with more purposeful outdoor activity. The preschool's ongoing play opportunities also need development so that they build understanding across all seven EYFS areas. This matters when weighing the curriculum alongside the care children receive.
Two-year-olds receive close help while becoming comfortable and exploring. Across early years, children develop secure relationships with adults, and trained staff adjust activities to children's needs. The emphasis is on growing confidence and doing more for themselves, with support suited to the child.
Snack choices include cheese, fruit, toast, cereal and yoghurt, with water or milk to drink. Specific dietary needs, including gluten-free and dairy-free diets, are catered for. Three- and four-year-olds can have a hot lunch through the separately charged lunchtime supervision arrangement. Parents supply their child's nappies or pull-ups; preschool keeps emergency spares.
For additional needs, the school's SEND procedures cover identification and support, with partnership between home and school. Parents can communicate through School Spider or email, and speak with a teacher after the class has been dismissed. Those routes make it possible to raise concerns and share information about a child's needs.
Attending Tiny Steps does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the applicable deadline.
The preschool works alongside the school's Reception class. That educational connection is separate from admission: choosing preschool should be a decision about the child's early years experience, rather than an assumption that a later school place is secured.
Visits can be arranged by calling 01928 711207, and preschool application forms come from the school office. Email enquiries can go to sec@st-martins.halton.sch.uk.
Funding arrangements cover eligible two-year-olds and universal and extended hours for three- and four-year-olds. The preschool describes eligibility for 15 universal hours from the term after a child's third birthday. Lunchtime supervision for three- and four-year-olds, including their hot lunch, is charged separately and cannot be counted within funded hours. Snacks and consumables carry an additional charge. Refer to the school for current charges.
The preschool takes children aged two to four.
The April 2026 report gave early years the Expected standard judgement. This covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separate preschool inspection.
No. Families need to make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process.
Snacks include fruit, cheese, yoghurt, cereal and toast, with milk or water. Separately charged lunchtime supervision for three- and four-year-olds includes a hot lunch.
Call 01928 711207 to arrange a visit. Application forms are available from the school office.
