St Mary's Catholic Infant Academy Nursery Review

Child-led exploration and a Catholic outlook shape the nursery at St Mary's Catholic Infant Academy in Newton-le-Willows. Compassion, resilience and respect are its guiding values. This is the academy's own nursery class, based at the Infant Academy on Victoria Road, rather than a separate childcare setting.

The nursery teacher also holds an assistant headteacher role, connecting the class with the school's leadership team. The current academy has no Ofsted graded rating yet.

Stories provide a starting point for learning. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children develop their language, movement and relationships alongside early literacy, mathematical thinking, creative expression and understanding of their surroundings. That means learning to communicate and manage feelings matters alongside beginning to work with words and numbers.

The Arches Curriculum takes its inspiration from the Nine Arches Sankey Viaduct in Newton-le-Willows. Its early-years approach draws on Reggio and Bandura: children explore their interests, while adults demonstrate ways to approach a problem and explain their thinking aloud. Play chosen by children sits alongside adult guidance and planned teaching. This gives children opportunities both to pursue an idea and to learn something introduced by an adult.

Vocabulary receives deliberate attention. Staff select words connected with the books being taught, introduce them during learning and return to them later. Children use those words in conversation and other activities, giving new language a practical purpose rather than treating it as a separate exercise.

Creative work has concrete daily outlets: children can paint, construct, make crafts and try junk modelling. These activities give them different ways to explore materials and develop their making skills. The school also aims to build independence by teaching children how to keep trying, solve problems and recognise when they need help.

Relationships with families form part of the early-years approach. Staff observe children during play and planned learning, and draw on parents' knowledge of what happens at home. Those observations inform the next steps in learning, allowing home experience to contribute to decisions about support and challenge.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the academies' support arrangements include work individually or in small groups. Resources, timetables and teaching can be adapted. These are practical ways to change how a child accesses learning, rather than expecting every child to manage the same task in the same way.

The Infant Academy's safeguarding team includes a designated lead and deputy leads. The school expects staff to act on concerns and says children's views and feelings should inform its response.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat that application as a separate decision from choosing the nursery; familiarity with the school does not secure admission.

The Infant Academy office handles enquiries on 01744 678357 and can provide printed documents. It is the contact point for nursery enquiries.

The academy's general clothing guidance asks families to label clothing. Water bottles and book bags can be purchased through the office. Labelling belongings gives staff a straightforward way to identify their owner.