The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Crossens Nursery School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Purple Room and Big Room give Crossens its own early childhood geography. This is a Sefton local authority nursery school on a site shared with Larkfield Primary and the Presfield and Peterhouse Special Schools. Its provision serves two-, three- and four-year-olds, with capacity described as up to 16 two-year-olds and 90 children aged three and four. These are provision numbers, not a count of children currently attending.
A familiar adult and a familiar group bookend each session. Under the Rhythm of the Day routine, children begin with a welcome song, registration and a teaching activity, then have opportunities to try that learning through play. The closing Book Share explores books, vocabulary and early phonics through FINS reading lenses. For a young child, that gives a recognisable structure around time spent exploring independently.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines adult guidance with children's own play across seven learning areas. Crossens Curriculum gives this an age-specific shape. In Purple Room, the two-year-olds' goals are Curious Explorers, Positive Sense of Self and Budding Communicators. Language, listening, early mark making and physical development prepare them for Big Room. For three- and four-year-olds, the goals include independence, communication, kindness, managing feelings and enjoyment of learning.
At the inspection on 8 and 9 May 2024, children learnt outdoors with staff in the nursery garden. In May 2024, children also enjoyed woodwork, dance and painting, while outings included a farm and local woodland. These experiences give children materials to handle, places to investigate and things to talk about beyond the classroom.
Curriculum consistency. The inspection on 8 and 9 May 2024 identified two weaknesses: some learning areas lacked sufficiently clear priorities, and checks on children's understanding were inconsistent. Important learning was sometimes insufficiently revisited, limiting how deeply some children understood it. Families should weigh the practical variety alongside those concerns about securing the foundations for later learning.
Key workers lead groups with the same adult and children each time, giving relationships a regular place in the day. Emotional check-ins are part of the opening and closing routine. In May 2024, two-year-olds adapted quickly to nursery routines with staff support, and children built trusting relationships with adults. Safeguarding arrangements were effective at that inspection.
Support for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) includes using the developmental check at age two to spot concerns and adapt teaching. The SEND information report for 2021–2022 describes parents meeting the key worker and SEND coordinator to agree support, with reviews usually around six weeks apart. It also describes an accessible, purpose-built nursery building. The current SEND page invites families to arrange a tour to discuss their child's needs with the headteacher and SENCO.
Food has a clear division of responsibility. Breakfast club provides breakfast; families supply a healthy packed lunch for lunchtime provision. Daily snacks include crackers, fruit and raisins, with water or milk. Morning snack runs from 10am to 10.30am, and afternoon snack from 1.30pm to 2pm. Newsletters keep parents informed about nursery events.
Attending nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline.
Children move on to several local primary schools. Transition support is distinct from admission: the 2021–2022 SEND report describes enhanced arrangements for children with SEND, usually involving meetings between the receiving and current settings, parents and relevant professionals. That gives families a way to share support needs before the move.
Crossens opens Monday to Friday, 7.45am to 3.45pm, during term time. Breakfast club runs until 9.15am; Early Drop off starts at 8.30am and excludes breakfast. Lunchtime provision runs from noon to 12.45pm, when children leaving after lunch are collected. Those staying continue with nursery staff.
The extended-services offer describes 15 funded hours, or 30 for eligible families, alongside additional three-hour sessions that can be purchased. Ask the school for current charges. Nursery applications use its admissions forms; enquiries can go through the contact form, admin@crossensnursery.sefton.org.uk or 01704 228624.
Uniform is optional. Zips and Snips supplies uniform items, and the school office also has pre-loved clothing. Families can choose whether to use it.
The nursery describes provision for children aged two to four, with Purple Room for two-year-olds and Big Room as their next step into the three- and four-year-old provision.
Sessions start with key-worker group time, followed by opportunities to apply learning through play. They finish with Book Share, exploring stories, vocabulary and early phonics.
Yes, families using lunchtime provision bring a healthy packed lunch. Breakfast club supplies breakfast, and children have daily snacks with milk or water.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process, by its deadline.
The SEND page invites families to book a nursery tour to discuss their child's needs with the headteacher and SENCO. Send enquiries to admin@crossensnursery.sefton.org.uk.
