Nursery at St Mary's Church of England Primary School

Conversation gives the youngest children a foothold at St Mary's: adults deliberately build speaking and listening skills, while curriculum planning starts with the two-year-old provision. This is an early start to learning within the primary school, with independence developing alongside language.

The provision includes children from age two at the school on Ladywell Road, Tunstall. Little Saints and Nursery sit within its Foundation Stage. Ofsted judged early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 14 and 15 May 2024. That judgement covers the school's early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Language is a practical part of learning here. In May 2024, adults used purposeful conversations to extend children's speaking and listening, and children were developing the foundations needed to start reading words. For parents, the useful detail is the connection between talking, listening and early reading: these skills receive deliberate adult attention.

Chatter Tuesdays extends that conversation into family life. Each Tuesday, year groups have a question to discuss at home and answer with their teachers. A Nursery example asks children to identify the first sound in their own name. It gives families a small, concrete way to join in with early language learning.

Art follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and is taught by experienced class teachers. Alongside creative learning, the early years findings emphasise children's growing independence and ability to manage their behaviour. The learning is about developing everyday capabilities as well as beginning to read.

Outdoor areas support learning for all children, and school animals provide opportunities to develop caring skills. Experiences also extend beyond the school grounds: Nursery visited Apple Tree Town on 20 November 2025, while Little Saints went to Westport Lake on 16 October 2025. These are specific past outings, rather than a promise about future trips.

Settling into learning was a strength in May 2024. Children became comfortable quickly and showed increasing independence and self-control. For a family considering an early start, that combination matters: feeling settled and learning to do things for oneself develop together.

Additional needs are usually recognised during the early years. Support involves other professionals, with staff training directed towards meeting children's needs. The school's SENCO team coordinates support, and parents can arrange a conversation with the class teacher or SENCO by telephone or in person. This gives concerns about development a clear route into discussion.

Attending the nursery 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 two separate decisions.

The school office handles enquiries on 01782235337 or at office@stmarysce.org.uk. It opens Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 4pm, providing a direct contact point for families considering the nursery.