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Nursery at Ashurst Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Ashleigh Bear brings a little of home into nursery life at Ashurst. The class bear spends weekends with different children, who then share their adventures with classmates. It gives young children a familiar reason to talk, listen and celebrate experiences together.
This is a 26-place morning nursery within Ashurst Primary School in St Helens. Children can join in the term after turning three, with intakes in January, April and September. Play takes place indoors and outside, with activities shaped around children's interests and individual learning needs. Ofsted's report dated 6 May 2026 judged the school's early years provision to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers early years within the school.
Purposeful play shapes the morning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, movement, social development, early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Here, that means making marks, sharing ideas with friends and exploring activities suited to different stages of development. Children can pursue their own projects as well as learn alongside others.
Numberblocks supports early number learning, including practising counting to three. Small pebbles and ten-frames give children objects and spaces to organise as they count. Reading aloud, songs and rhymes sit alongside conversation and role play, giving children opportunities to hear words and try them out. In the Nursery Year, recognising rhythms, patterns and sounds lays foundations for later reading.
Adults introduce more demanding vocabulary and ask questions that let children revisit learning from guided activities. In May 2026, most adult interactions in early years were effective, and children played and learned with confidence. Understanding the World includes observing living things and discussing changes in their surroundings. Thursday PE adds a regular movement session; families receive a text if the day changes.
Settling rests on predictable routines and relationships. In May 2026, children adjusted readily to early years, where staff developed affectionate, supportive relationships with them. Getting to know families also helped the team recognise additional needs and obstacles affecting learning or wellbeing, then arrange appropriate help. This connects care with teaching from the start.
Social learning is practical: children begin learning to wait their turn and share resources in early years. Nursery activities also support managing feelings, building friendships and becoming more independent with personal care. The early years team includes paediatric first aiders alongside teachers.
Parents have several ways to stay connected. Termly nursery learning webs explain the learning focus, while Ashleigh Bear's weekend visits link family experiences with classroom conversation. For concerns about a child's wellbeing, families can contact the school's pastoral team through the office, by telephone or email.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application to St Helens Council through its normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. For September 2026 entry, the closing date was 15 January 2026; that application cycle is past.
Transition support is a separate matter. The usual welcome meeting gives children an opportunity to meet staff and explore their next classroom. Familiarity can help with the move, but it does not secure admission.
The nursery morning runs from 8:45am to 11:45am. Applications are handled by the school office, with forms collected there or downloaded from the admissions page and returned to the office. Families can telephone 01744 678150 or email ashurst@sthelens.org.uk. School visits can be arranged by appointment.
The admissions guidance describes an entitlement of 15 funded hours each week over 38 weeks, starting in the term after a child's third birthday. This gives families the funding structure alongside the morning session pattern.
The nursery entrance is behind the school, reached along its right side, at the labelled black gate. On PE days, children wear black jogging bottoms or leggings, a white top and a black zip hoodie; summer kit uses red shorts with the white top.
Children are eligible in the term after their third birthday. Intakes take place in September, January and April, and the morning nursery has 26 places.
The morning session starts at 8:45am and ends at 11:45am.
Activities include indoor and outdoor play, mark making, stories, early counting and conversation. Numberblocks supports number learning, and Ashleigh Bear gives children experiences to share with classmates.
No. Reception requires a separate application directly to St Helens Council through the normal admissions process.
Collect a nursery form from the school office or download it from the admissions page, then return it to the office. Telephone 01744 678150 to discuss an application or book a school visit.
