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Nursery at St Patrick's Church of England Primary Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Speaking, listening and books give this nursery its character. Children begin Twinkl Phonics with sound discrimination, while a reading area is accessible during daily free-flow time. The emphasis is on building the foundations for reading through language and listening.
FS1 is the nursery provision at St Patrick's Church of England Primary Academy in Earlswood. Children normally start in September after their third birthday; Rising 3 places also accommodate children who turn three during the academic year, subject to spare capacity. January and April are the Rising 3 intake points, according to when the child turns three.
The morning forms the core of the day, running from 8.45am to 11.45am on weekdays. Afternoon learning extends what children do in the morning, giving families a choice between shorter sessions and longer days.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum brings seven learning areas together through termly themes. These are adaptable: staff adjust learning to children's interests and ideas, rather than following an identical programme each year. The nursery aims to build on the experiences and skills children bring from home, making their existing knowledge a starting point for new learning.
Twinkl Phonics begins at Level 1 in Nursery. Children practise distinguishing sounds from instruments and their surroundings, developing the listening and speaking skills needed for later phonics. Books have a daily place too. Adults read to children each day, and children can choose books in the reading area during free-flow time; refreshed selections give them different stories to explore.
Movement is another strand. Get Set 4 PE supports learning in ball skills, gymnastics, dance and games within the Foundation Stage, introducing children to different ways of moving and participating.
In December 2023, Ofsted found that early-years routines helped children cooperate, wait their turn and share. Phonics assessment needed attention: some misunderstandings were taking too long to spot, and staff needed to check learning more consistently.
Settling begins with preparation. A summer introduction programme supports September starters, and parents attend a meeting to help prepare children for school routines. Families of children already known to have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) meet the SEND coordinator before entry, allowing concerns and support arrangements to be discussed early.
Support follows Assess, Plan, Do, Review, with parents involved in identifying needs and reviewing progress termly. This gives families a recurring opportunity to discuss how support is working. School staff have training in language difficulties and autism, while the nursery's wider support network includes the Early Years Support and Assessment Team (EYSAT).
School dinners are a charged extra. Nursery lunchtime begins at 11.45am, so meals also need to be considered when choosing a longer day.
Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor confers an oversubscription priority under the 2027/28 arrangements. Families must make a separate application through Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's normal admissions process by its closing date. A sibling attending only the nursery does not establish sibling priority either.
Preparation for that move is separate from allocation. Nursery-to-Reception transition activities take place weekly during the final half term, with additional arrangements tailored to children with SEND. The programme helps children prepare for the change; it does not determine whether they receive a place.
Fifteen funded hours cover weekday mornings, while eligible families can use 30-hour funding for attendance from 8.45am to 2.45pm. Children taking 30-hour places must attend every weekday morning. Optional afternoon sessions run from 12.45pm to 2.45pm, with a charged extension until 3.15pm. Families can agree individual schedules and vary the number of afternoons or full days.
Breakfast Club and After School Club are also available to nursery children for an additional charge. Families using 15-hour funding can pay for longer attendance; contact the school for current charges, including dinners and additional hours.
Apply directly to the school using the nursery application form, returned to office@st-patricks-ce.solihull.sch.uk. Parent tours can be booked, with the office handling enquiries on 01564 702278.
The usual start is September after turning three. Subject to spare places, Rising 3 children can start in January after an autumn-term third birthday or April after a spring-term third birthday.
Core sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am, Monday to Friday. Afternoon attendance is optional.
Fifteen funded hours cover weekday mornings. Eligible families can use 30-hour funding from 8.45am to 2.45pm, with attendance required every weekday morning. Additional hours and school dinners carry charges.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place or confer priority under the 2027/28 arrangements. Reception requires a separate application through Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
Return the nursery application form to office@st-patricks-ce.solihull.sch.uk. Parent tours can be booked, or contact the school office on 01564 702278.
