Little Garden Nursery at Rainford CofE Primary School

Sunbeams and Raindrops give Little Garden its shape: two rooms for different stages of childhood, with resources that children can reach and choose themselves. This is Rainford CofE Primary School’s own nursery, taking children aged 2–4. Sunbeams serves ages 2–3, while Raindrops is for ages 3–4.

The rooms have had substantial work: Raindrops was refurbished in 2022, followed by renovation of Sunbeams in 2024. The nursery describes its approach as learning through play, creativity and secure relationships. Montessori and the curiosity approach influence the curriculum, giving this school nursery a distinct starting point for its youngest children.

Choice is built into the environment. In Sunbeams, low-level resources let children select materials independently. Across the early years provision, labelled equipment and separate activity areas support children in finding what they need. A book corner offers quieter occupation; construction, role-play and a water tray provide other ways to investigate. Children can move between outdoor and indoor learning spaces during the day.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) organises learning around seven areas. Language, physical skills and emotional and social development come first; these support later work with numbers, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. Children initiate play themselves and also join activities guided by adults. Staff combine longer-term plans with responses to children’s immediate interests, so an emerging idea can become a learning opportunity.

There is plenty of concrete activity behind that approach. Little Garden’s art plans include leaf printing, daffodil paintings and collage based on The Train Ride. Design activities include making puppets from socks and building beanstalks with pipe cleaners. These give children practice in handling materials and making choices about shape and texture.

Music includes Musical Bear and Farmyard Scene, with children exploring quiet sounds and using instruments to represent animals. Read Write Inc begins in Raindrops, introducing the nursery’s older children to its reading programme. For Sunbeams, weekly Tots Worship visits to church include songs, simple crafts and worship activities. Christian faith therefore has a practical place in the nursery experience.

Settling happens in stages. Before regular attendance begins, children receive at least three settling sessions, each lasting one hour. Further sessions are accommodated when a child needs them. That gives families a gradual introduction rather than a single fixed starting point.

Room leaders for Sunbeams and Raindrops work alongside early years teaching assistants, under the EYFS leader’s supervision. Nursery staff have DBS checks and safeguarding training. Parents can raise safeguarding concerns with the school’s safeguarding team or their child’s class teacher.

In September 2023, Ofsted found that early years children adjusted successfully to school life and developed foundations for later learning. Complex SEND. The same inspection identified a school-wide concern: some teachers needed more precise information and training to adapt teaching for pupils with complex needs. Families whose children need substantial adaptations should make those individual support needs central to discussions before starting.

Attending Little Garden does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through their home local authority’s common application form. For the September 2026 intake, the deadline was 15 January 2026; that application cycle is now past.

Transition support is a separate matter. Starting-school arrangements include a summer induction evening, Stay and Play events, story activities and a visual timetable. A phased September start is also possible. These help children become familiar with school routines; they do not secure admission.

Attendance hours can be tailored to individual needs through the school office. Eligible working families can claim 30 funded childcare hours from the term after their child turns nine months; Little Garden takes children from two years old. Eligibility matters: the nursery can help families with funding applications.

Treehouse Club provides on-site wraparound care for nursery children. Breakfast Club runs from 7:30am to 8:50am, with toast and cereals; After School Club operates from 3:30pm to 6pm and includes snacks, drinks and outdoor or indoor activities. Parents must tell the club about dietary requirements. Booking forms are used for Treehouse attendance.

Families are invited to look around before deciding. Little Garden registration forms can be handed to the school office or emailed to rainfordp@ldst.org.uk. The school is on Cross Pit Lane, Rainford, WA11 8AJ; telephone enquiries go to 01744 883281.