St Mary's Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Shape games, early conversation and a Christmas Nativity give St Mary's nursery its place in school life. Children can join this Foundation Stage 1 provision after their third birthday, with morning, afternoon and full-day attendance options during term time. It is part of St Mary's Church of England Primary School on Cundy Street, Sheffield.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 18 and 19 October 2022. That judgement covers the early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Communication starts early here. In October 2022, children were developing their speaking and language skills from the Nursery Year. Early years learning also included using mathematical understanding in games involving shapes. These are concrete examples of learning through activity: children put an idea to use rather than simply hearing about it.

The early years foundation stage includes personal development alongside that language and mathematical learning. Personal development teaching begins in the early years, giving this stage a broader purpose than preparation for reading alone. Foundation Stage children also take part in the annual Christmas Nativity, an opportunity to perform for an audience.

Books offer a connection between school and home. READy Brek welcomes all families to the school library on Wednesdays from 08:15, making shared reading something parents can join in with. Recommended reading choices include an Ages 3–5 selection. These give families a concrete starting point for choosing stories together.

The Foundation Stage team includes teachers and teaching assistants. For children needing additional support, the school's process starts with classroom intervention when a teacher has concerns. Continuing difficulties can lead to involvement from the Learning Support Service or Educational Psychology Service. Parents remain involved throughout, so support is a shared conversation rather than a decision made around them.

Food has practical choices attached. Nursery children attending across lunchtime can have a charged school meal. Pantry prepares meals on site, and parents order directly through its online system. Families should tell Pantry about allergies or special dietary needs. A healthy packed lunch is another option, eaten in the same hall as hot meals; food containing nuts must stay at home.

Foundation Stage children have access to free fruit during morning playtime and are entitled to free milk. Bring a water bottle each day. For longer-term medical needs, parents complete a healthcare plan through the school office, giving staff information to support the child's care.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate primary school application through the normal admissions route. For St Mary's, that means the community-school application form, with applications also accessible through Sheffield City Council's primary admissions service. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

The nursery attendance options are a morning from 8.40am to 11.40am, an afternoon from 12.15pm to 3.15pm, or a full day from 8.40am to 3.15pm. The funding arrangements cover 15 hours, with 30 hours for eligible families. From September, full-school-day attendance requires an additional 2.5 self-funded hours per week; collecting at 2.40pm is the alternative. Ask the school for current charges.

To register interest or arrange a visit, contact the office on 0114 2344461 or enquiries@sma.dsat.education. Give your child's birth date, name and address, your contact number and the hours you prefer. Applications can be made before the child reaches entry age, with children joining a waiting list. Label coats, bags and water bottles with your child's name.