Broad Oak Community Primary School Nursery Review

Building towers, inventing pretend games and learning to express a need give Broad Oak’s nursery provision its character. Little Oaks caters for two-year-olds, alongside nursery provision for children aged three and four at Broad Oak Community Primary School on Brunswick Street, St Helens. The learning goals distinguish between these stages, so younger children’s first attempts develop into more involved tasks as they grow.

Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 1 and 2 October 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Construction gives a concrete picture of learning here. In Little Oaks, children practise stacking different materials into towers. Nursery children move on to choosing materials to make recognisable buildings, such as a farm or house, and explore how to create enclosed spaces. Broad Oak aims to use construction to develop cooperation and help children finish tasks. A building project therefore has a social purpose as well as a physical one.

Experimenting takes different forms across the two stages. Little Oaks children try tools and materials for making marks; nursery children devise pretend-play scenarios and investigate how they can move and change water. Broad Oak sees trying, adjusting and trying again as a way to develop resilience. Inventing their own role-play ideas gives children a part in shaping their play.

Communication follows the same progression. Younger children work towards expressing needs through words, phrases and sentences. Nursery children exchange ideas with other children during play, giving language a practical use in shared activities. In plain parent language, the EYFS learning described here connects physical skills, communication and learning to work with others through concrete tasks.

In October 2024, positive attitudes from nursery age meant learning was seldom interrupted. Sewing club was also among the experiences for early years children, adding a practical craft activity to their learning.

Handwriting expectations. The October 2024 inspection called for higher expectations for handwriting beginning in early years. Early mark-making deserves attention alongside the construction and imaginative play.

For families of children with special educational needs, Broad Oak’s support arrangements include SEN drop-ins and contact with a practitioner or key person where appropriate. This gives parents ways to share information about their child rather than relying on a single formal meeting.

Collection requires communication too. Children may leave with adults registered to collect them, and parents must notify the school when someone without parental responsibility will collect. Keeping those arrangements clear matters when care is shared between family members.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Enquiries can go to broadoak@sthelens.org.uk or 01744 752340. The school’s preferred uniform combines a red jumper and white polo top with black joggers and black trainers. Logo items are optional, and families can choose where to buy clothing.