St Augustine's Catholic Primary School Nursery

A Nursery rhyme challenge and equal emphasis on indoor and outdoor classrooms give St Augustine's nursery its character: play, language and growing independence shape the learning. The provision belongs to the Catholic primary school on Whitefields Road in Solihull and takes children from age three. For the 2026/27 academic year, there are 16 places, with a 30-hour-only model. That makes the attendance pattern an important part of the choice for families.

The school aims to connect children's learning with its Catholic faith. Within the early years, that means an ambition to help children feel cared for while developing curiosity and confidence.

Play shares the timetable with direct teaching each day. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum gives nursery children a particular focus on movement, communication, emotional development and relationships. In parent terms, learning to express an idea, manage feelings and relate to other children matters alongside early number work. Children choose some activities themselves; adults lead others. Group sessions give staff opportunities to spot misunderstandings and respond straight away. Staff also observe each child to establish where learning begins, then use those observations to plan experiences suited to their development.

Indoor and outdoor classrooms have equal weight in the learning programme, so outdoor activity forms part of the curriculum. Topics run through a two-cycle plan, with a question opening each term's exploration. The Nursery rhyme challenge brings rhymes into children's learning, while maths introduces shape, patterns and number. These are concrete starting points for language and mathematical understanding.

In October 2023, Ofsted found that early-years staff knew individual children well and adapted learning to support their progress, with sustained attention to language and social development. Books were part of nursery life from the outset, encouraging children to take an interest in reading.

Parents share children's achievements through wow cards and also tell staff about their interests and needs. An open-door approach gives families a route to share what is happening at home, helping staff plan around the child rather than treating learning as confined to the classroom. Nursery has its own induction arrangements for autumn 2026, so families should follow those arrangements when preparing for the start.

Food requires some preparation at home. Children staying after 11:50am bring a packed lunch; nursery children do not receive hot school meals. Fruit is free each day, and daily free milk depends on a parent or guardian registering. The expectation is that children start toilet trained. Parents supply any nappies and wipes required, with staff alerting them when supplies run low.

For concerns about special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), the class teacher is the first contact. Teachers and teaching assistants share responsibility for supporting children with SEND, giving families a starting point for discussing their child's needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no admissions priority. Children attending nursery are considered against the same oversubscription criteria as other applicants. Families must make a separate application through the local authority where they live.

For September 2026 entry, the application deadline was 15 January 2026, with the Supplementary Information Form also due directly to the school that day. Those dates belong to the past intake. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.

The 2026/27 nursery model is 30 hours only, and nursery applications go through the school office. Families can arrange a school-day visit through the office on 0121 705 4355 or at 85office@st-augustines.solihull.sch.uk.

Drop-off is between 8:45am and 8:55am. Nursery collection times are 11:45am, 2:50pm or 3:20pm; these should be read alongside the attendance arrangement agreed for the child. Late arrivals require a parent or guardian to sign in digitally, and later collections also require digital signing out. Contact the school for current charges for additional hours outside the funded provision.