St Catherine's Church of England Primary School Nursery Review

Construction challenges, colour mixing and putting on shows give St Catherine's nursery a practical, creative character. This is the school's own nursery class on Park Road in Ware, forming part of its Foundation Stage. Morning attendance provides the common routine; lunch club and afternoon provision allow children to stay longer.

Christian values shape the Foundation Stage's aims. The school wants children to be ready for their next steps, while planning learning around each child's development and needs. For parents, the distinctive combination is a regular morning pattern and afternoons shaped by children's interests.

Every child is expected to attend mornings from Monday to Friday, with each session lasting three hours. That expectation matters when choosing a weekly childcare pattern: mornings are a consistent commitment across the week. Afternoon activities build on morning learning, and children sometimes work together on a project with a shared goal.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers seven areas of development. In parent language, that means learning to communicate, move and manage feelings alongside early literacy, maths, discovering the world and creative expression. Planning takes account of individual developmental stages, giving children activities suited to where they are in their learning.

Construction Challenge, Playing Board Games, Performing Shows and Exploring Colour Mixing are named examples of extended provision. Together, they give a concrete picture of afternoons spent making, experimenting and working with other children. Across the early years, designated woodwork areas introduce tools; children also make three-dimensional models and experiment with collage and paint. Creative work gives them ways to express feelings as well as explore materials.

In July 2024, Ofsted found that nursery children shared an engaging early-years learning environment with Reception children, taking part in activities with a clear developmental purpose. Early reading also had a positive start, with children practising sound blending and recognising syllables, and extra help provided promptly when needed.

A nursery teacher forms part of the Foundation Stage teaching team. Across the school, pastoral and SEND roles include speech and language support and nurture support. Parents can contact the SEND/Inclusion team through the office, giving families a direct route for discussing additional needs.

School lunches are cooked on site by Hertfordshire Catering Limited. There are three hot options each day, accompanied by salad or vegetables; special dietary requirements can be accommodated through an application arranged with the office. This gives families using lunch club a practical point of contact for dietary planning.

Foundation Stage family support includes toilet-training advice and links to Hertfordshire Family Centres. The school can also refer families to the Hertford and Ware family support team, where appropriate and with parental agreement.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Hertfordshire County Council using the normal admissions process and deadline. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery attendance.

In July 2024, nursery and Reception children played and learned together in the early-years environment. That shared experience was distinct from the decision about who receives a school place.

Lunch club and afternoon nursery are available to all nursery children, either through the 30 hours entitlement or on a paid basis. Uniform is optional in nursery, giving parents flexibility over everyday clothing.

For enquiries, email admin@stcatherines.herts.sch.uk or telephone 01920 462653. School visits can be arranged by calling the office for an appointment.