Nursery at St Anne's Catholic Primary School

Classroom play, outdoor learning and friendships with older children give this nursery its character. At St Anne's Catholic Primary School in Weeping Cross, Stafford, nursery children take part in school life while building the beginnings of reading and number understanding.

The early years provision received a Good judgement at the Ofsted inspection on 21 and 22 November 2023. That judgement covers the school's early years foundation stage, rather than a separately inspected nursery. For parents, the useful detail is how children settled, learned and related to adults.

Learning takes place indoors and outside. In November 2023, children enjoyed both classroom activities and play in outdoor spaces. The surroundings encouraged mathematical curiosity. Adults supported children's first steps towards reading, including exploring how letters relate to sounds. These are concrete foundations for later learning within the early years foundation stage (EYFS).

Special Friends brings nursery children together with Year 6 pupils. One project involved making posters about the harm litter can cause wildlife, followed by collecting litter around the school grounds. It gives the youngest children a practical way to take part in caring for their surroundings, alongside older pupils.

Learning behaviours. In November 2023, early years leaders recognised that children needed more explicit teaching about how to approach learning. Work to address this was already underway with trust leaders. For families, this is a useful distinction: enjoying activities and learning how to participate in them are both important.

Settling was a positive feature in November 2023. Children felt secure and content; positive bonds with adults accompanied their successful start to nursery. Those relationships matter for children beginning to spend time away from home.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) starts with the class teacher, with the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) supporting the next steps. The school and nursery use a graduated approach to tackling barriers to learning and involve parents and outside agencies. This gives families a clear first contact and a process for discussing additional help.

Staff receive safeguarding training annually. Concerns can be raised with the Designated Safeguarding Lead or, if unavailable, the deputies. That provides an identified route for parents to raise a welfare concern.

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 nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions; participation in school life does not itself secure admission.

Morning nursery runs from 8:45 to 11:45; the afternoon session is 12:15 to 15:15. Lunch is timetabled between 11:45 and 12:15. These session boundaries are useful when planning collection and work commitments. The morning nursery entrance is Gate 1, the Nursery gate.

School tours can be arranged using a booking form or by calling 01785 663128. In the form, give your child's current age and specify your interest in the nursery so the visit can focus on the provision you are considering.