Our Lady of Compassion Catholic Primary School Nursery

Letters and numbers begin early here, alongside a place in the life of a Catholic primary school. Our Lady of Compassion has 36 full-time nursery places, with up to 30 hours of provision per week. The nursery is Foundation Stage 1, giving its children their own identity within the school.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good following its inspection on 23 and 24 April 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The school aims to make faith part of everyday learning and relationships, with service, worship and prayer giving families a clear sense of its Catholic character.

Early learning includes an immediate introduction to letters and numbers. In April 2024, children were beginning these activities from the start of their time in early years. For parents, that makes the connection between settling into school and beginning to learn an important part of the picture.

There is a significant teaching caveat. Activities in early years sometimes failed to extend children's existing understanding and abilities, slowing their progress. The improvement needed was more deliberate sequencing of tasks so that skills and knowledge developed over time. Learning progression. Children need activities that take their learning forward from their starting points. How tasks become more demanding as a child develops is a useful focus for conversations with staff.

Participation reaches beyond classroom learning. Each class, including nursery, chooses two representatives for the pupil leadership team. Children present a short speech before classmates vote. This gives the youngest class a part in school decisions and a concrete opportunity to practise speaking to others.

Settling was a positive feature of early years in April 2024: children adjusted successfully, felt secure and were happy. Staff took time to become familiar with them. Those relationships matter when a young child is getting used to spending time away from home.

Special Friends support younger children at playtimes and during transitions, with the aim of helping them join in and feel included. This adds peer support to the adults' role.

Lunch requires a little organisation at home. Nursery meals are charged separately; contact the school for current charges. Meals are booked through ParentPay using Cypad, and selections can be changed or cancelled until 8.00am that day. Aspens Services Ltd works with parents on allergy information, and families should return the allergy form to school so dietary needs can be managed.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Solihull Local Authority. For entry in September 2027, the Reception deadline is 15th January 2027.

A Supplementary Information Form also goes to the school after the local authority application. If a child has been baptised, attach a copy of the Baptism Certificate and email it with the form to the school office. This information allows the correct admissions criteria to be applied. Treat the two applications as separate tasks, even when a child already attends nursery.

The booking model is full-time, providing up to 30 hours each week. Nursery applications go directly to the school by emailing the completed Nursery Application Form to office@olc.solihull.sch.uk. For the 2027-2028 academic year, applications close on Friday 11th December 2026.

For nursery enquiries or a paper application form, telephone 0121 706 9508 or use the office email. The school is on Kineton Green Road, Olton, Solihull, B92 7EG.