St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Stories, conversation and a morning session shape nursery life at St Joseph's in Dinnington. Foundation Stage 1 is the nursery provision within this Catholic primary school, with an EYFS class teacher and an EYFS practitioner on the team. The emphasis on books starts with the youngest children: nursery children share books and hear adults read each day.

Catholic education begins here too. Come and See is used from Nursery onwards, alongside learning about another world faith each term. For families, faith is part of the learning programme from the start.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, move and manage feelings with early reading, maths, creativity and discovering the world. Development Matters guides the approach. Adults adapt teaching to children's interests and needs, combining time for children to explore independently with activities started or taught by adults.

Books give that learning a recurring focus. Children hear poems, rhymes and stories throughout the day; a story of the week and rhyme of the week are shared with families. My turn your turn gives children practice speaking in complete sentences. Story sessions sit alongside opportunities to look at books independently and retell familiar tales, giving children different ways to join in.

Outside, the EYFS play area has a climbing frame, grass and a soft surface, all on a single level. Doors accommodate wheelchairs and walking aids, and play spaces are arranged to allow access between learning areas. These are practical features for children who need room to move or adapted access.

In December 2024, Ofsted found that early-years children settled promptly and learnt routines that prepared them for later learning. Adults also helped children use maths vocabulary correctly, reinforcing it through measuring equipment and conversations about outdoor shapes. That connects new words with things children can handle and see.

A sensory room within the EYFS classroom provides somewhere quiet, while the unit also has children's toilets and a changing area. Some EYFS children may have lunch together in their classroom with staff support; this is an arrangement for some children, rather than a promise of lunch within the morning nursery session.

For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), parents can raise concerns with the class teacher or contact the SENCO. Support follows an assess, plan, do and review cycle, with termly SEND meetings and more frequent communication arranged according to individual need. The Early Years Inclusion Team and Speech and Language Therapy are among the services the school works with, bringing specialist input into support planning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority using its Common Application Form.

For September 2026 entry, nursery attendance conferred no admissions priority, and the application deadline was 15 January 2026. That deadline has passed. Families should treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions and follow the timetable for their child's entry year.

Foundation Stage 1 runs from 8.40am to 11.45am. Children are dropped off at the classroom door; collection is at the brown gate, where EYFS staff bring them to their families. The late-morning finish is a significant consideration when planning childcare around work.

Visits can be arranged by calling 01909 550123. Arbor and ClassDojo carry term-date updates and closure notifications, so families need access to both and should keep emergency contact details current.