Nursery at St Teresa's Catholic (A) Primary School

Time to talk, explore and keep playing shapes the early years approach at St Teresa's. Personal development and communication receive particular emphasis, alongside extended periods of play. For parents, the focus is on children learning to express themselves and relate to others as well as developing their understanding.

This is the nursery within the Catholic primary school on Stone Road in Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum starts with children's experiences at home and in previous settings. Learning follows topics, with connections between different areas rather than treating each activity as an isolated task. Play has time to develop. Adults interact with children as they explore, helping them connect what they are doing with what they are learning.

Communication means more than speaking up. The emphasis includes listening and understanding, alongside children's emotional and social development. St Teresa's aims to develop confidence, empathy and resilience through this work. For a parent choosing a nursery, that makes conversation and relationships central to the learning approach.

In January 2023, Ofsted found that early years staff planned children's next learning around their existing abilities and understanding, with carefully sequenced knowledge and skills helping children achieve well. The practical implication is a starting point based on the child, rather than assuming everyone begins with the same experience.

Before children enter the Foundation Stage, summer-term visits help introduce the change, and families are invited to a June induction meeting. Parents of incoming children with known special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) meet the SENCo before entry to discuss concerns and possible solutions. In January 2023, children in the early years settled successfully, and those needing extra help were recognised promptly and received support.

Across the school, SEND support uses an individual Pupil Passport to record intended outcomes. Parents contribute their concerns and discuss how support can continue at home; written consent is sought before a child joins the SEND register. The assess, plan, do, review cycle is revisited three times a year, giving families repeated opportunities to discuss progress and adjustments.

Support can include visual timetables, extra thinking time and vocabulary introduced ahead of learning. These are adjustments matched to individual needs. The school's accessible toilets, disabled parking bays and handrails alongside slopes or steps are concrete features for families considering access.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Reception. Families must make a separate Reception application through their local authority's online route, following the normal admissions timetable. Treat that application as a separate task even if your child already attends nursery.

Registering interest with the school office brings invitations to prospective-parent meetings, including a school tour. It does not replace the formal application.

For enquiries, contact the school office on 01782 307550 or email stteresa@ctkcc.co.uk. The school address is Stone Road, Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6SP.

Formal nursery applications also go through the local authority online. Families can register their interest with the office before making that application, providing a route to introductory meetings and a tour.