Nursery at Bishop David Sheppard Church of England Primary School

Giant books, songs and repeated words give even the youngest children a starting point for reading here. Buttons takes children from age two within Bishop David Sheppard Church of England Primary School, on Devonshire Road in Southport. It is a nursery within a Church of England school whose values include compassion and friendship.

At the May 2023 Ofsted inspection, early years provision received a Good judgement within the school inspection. Fifteen children attended Buttons at that time: an attendance figure for that visit, rather than a measure of nursery capacity.

Reading starts with participation. In May 2023, two-year-olds in Buttons enjoyed hearing stories, echoing words and moving to songs linked to the language in giant books. That gives parents a concrete picture of early literacy: children joining in through speech and movement, before reading independently.

Play also gives children something to discuss and investigate. The nursery's 2017–2018 curriculum description included a Welly Garden for imaginative adventures, alongside a reading area that could become a pretend spaceship. Outdoors, children searched for small creatures, experimented with water and made mud pies. These activities linked physical exploration with opportunities to explain discoveries.

That description connected activities to the prime areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): developing relationships and managing feelings, learning to communicate, and gaining physical skills. Named spaces included an Outdoor Reading Nook and Sand Pit; Dough Disco added another activity to the mix. This historical picture shows how play, conversation and practical exploration were brought together.

Settling was a strength in May 2023. Children across early years, including Buttons, became comfortable quickly and enjoyed understanding adults' expectations. For a parent considering a first separation, that is useful evidence about how young children adjusted to the setting.

Families with questions about special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can contact the school's Inclusion Team. Its parent resources include a Graduated Response Booklet for Parents and Carers and a link to Sefton's Local Offer, giving families routes into discussion and information about support.

Food also featured in the nursery's archived 2019–2020 wraparound arrangements: the longer after-school booking included a meal. That detail belongs to that booking pattern and period, rather than establishing what every nursery child eats during a session.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. The school's admissions page directs families to Sefton Council for school admissions. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Session patterns. Arrangements effective from September 2019 included mornings from 08:45 to 11:45 and afternoons from 12:30 to 15:30. Funded patterns combined half-day sessions or longer days, while extra sessions could be purchased subject to availability. These are historical arrangements; contact the school for current charges.

Funding arrangements describe eligible two-year-olds receiving 15 hours each week across 38 weeks. For three-year-olds, the universal offer begins in the term following their third birthday; the extended 30-hour offer requires eligibility and a government code. Staff offer help with funding applications, which can make the administrative side easier for families.

For enquiries, telephone 01704 227987 or email admin@bdsprimary.co.uk. A school visit can be booked through the admissions page, providing a direct way to explore the nursery before making a decision.