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Nursery at Farnborough Road Infant 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Caterpillars, Butterflies and Ladybirds give this nursery a distinct shape: a smaller provision for two-year-olds alongside classes for children aged three and four. At Farnborough Road Infant School in Birkdale, Caterpillars has 16 places in the First Steps Family Wellbeing Centre, with a purpose-built room and its own indoor and outdoor spaces. The older nursery children have a separate nursery building, with 90 places offered from the term after their third birthday.
These are school nursery classes, with qualified teachers teaching the older nursery children. Children also join school celebrations, including Arts Week and concerts. That brings school life into their nursery experience from the start.
Play provides the route into learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach combines exploration, active participation and opportunities to develop ideas and solve problems. Adults shape activities around how children learn, so play has a learning purpose rather than simply filling a session.
Construction gives a concrete example. Nursery children experiment with building materials, create models from discarded packaging and try ways of attaching pieces. They practise making something work. Physical learning includes Dough Disco and Motor Magic, alongside dance, gymnastics and games across the early years. Outdoor spaces provide opportunities to balance and climb, adding movement challenges to the day.
Stories are another mainstay. In March 2023, Ofsted found that books, rhymes and conversation supported learning across the early years, including Caterpillars. Repeated story reading begins with the youngest children, giving them familiar language to return to.
Language and early reading. The same inspection identified weaknesses in some nursery adults’ questioning, which left children too little opportunity to develop a conversation. Across early years and Key Stage 1, reading teaching also varied: some letter sounds were inaccurate, some books did not suit children’s phonics knowledge, and adults sometimes supplied too much help. These findings matter for families weighing how consistently language and reading foundations are taught.
Settling begins before the September start. Home visits, stay-and-play opportunities and visits to children’s existing nurseries take place in May and June. Nursery starters also receive a transition booklet to work on at home. Together, these give families several ways to introduce their child before regular attendance begins.
Four Golden Rules extend from Caterpillars through the school: gentle behaviour, careful listening, honesty and making an effort. The shared language gives young children consistent expectations as they move between classes. An inclusion leader/SENCO provides a contact for families discussing additional needs.
Lunch is practical: nursery children staying over lunchtime bring a packed lunch in a labelled lunch box. Water bottles are required too. Parents’ evening bookings use Teachers2Parents, which also carries occasional messages, while families can email the school directly.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Sefton’s online admissions route at www.sefton.gov.uk/admissions, following the normal application deadline. Treat this as a separate decision even when your child already attends Caterpillars, Butterflies or Ladybirds.
Home visits, stay-and-play sessions and a booklet completed at home are also part of the preparation for September Reception starters. These support familiarity; they do not secure admission.
Caterpillars offers weekday sessions from 8:50am to 11:50am or 12:30pm to 3:30pm. For older children, Butterflies runs Monday to Friday, 8:50am to 3:10pm. Ladybirds divides attendance between the beginning and end of the week: Monday and Tuesday plus Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon plus Thursday and Friday.
Eligible two-year-olds can receive 15 funded hours each week across up to 38 weeks, with Sefton checking eligibility. Paid places can also be requested. The older nursery offers 15-hour and 30-hour patterns, with additional sessions available to extend attendance. Eligible working parents have a 30-hour childcare entitlement. Contact the school for current charges. Fun 4 Kidz provides breakfast, after-school and holiday care for children from age three; the nursery advertises wraparound hours of 7:45am to 6pm.
Caterpillars wear their own clothes. Older nursery children wear gold polo shirts with maroon knitwear and grey bottoms; grey jogging bottoms are permitted to support independent care. Apply directly using the nursery expression-of-interest form. Nursery tours can be arranged through the school office on 01704 577637.
Caterpillars admits children in the term after their second birthday. Butterflies and Ladybirds cater for children aged three and four, with entry from the term after the third birthday.
No. Reception requires a separate application through Sefton’s online admissions system.
Yes. Ladybirds offers a beginning-of-week or end-of-week pattern. Caterpillars has morning and afternoon sessions.
Nursery children staying for lunch bring a packed lunch in a labelled lunch box.
Yes. The nursery advertises care from 7:45am to 6pm. Fun 4 Kidz accepts children from age three and provides breakfast, after-school and holiday care.
