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Nursery at St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Friday shopping for snack ingredients and regular Forest School activities give this nursery a practical flavour. Children have opportunities to make food, spend time outdoors and develop the language they need to learn alongside others. There is plenty to talk about.
The Nursery class belongs to the Early Years unit at St Paul of the Cross Catholic Primary School in Burtonwood, Warrington. Its provision includes three-year-olds, with an EYFS specialist team leading the unit. Ofsted's January 2026 report awarded early years Strong standard, a judgement covering the school's early years provision rather than a separate nursery inspection.
Families can choose mornings, afternoons or both. Children usually keep the same session pattern throughout their nursery attendance, giving the week a consistent shape. Morning learning runs from 9am to noon; afternoon sessions begin at 1pm and finish at 3.15pm. A lunch session bridges the two.
EYFS means the Early Years Foundation Stage: the framework for young children's care, development and learning. Here, learning brings together movement, conversation, relationships, early number work, reading and writing, creative activity and exploration of the world. These are connected parts of a child's development rather than simply a timetable of subjects.
Language receives close attention. In January 2026, staff used questions and prompts to encourage thoughtful learning, while vocabulary work helped three-year-olds cooperate with other children. That gives speaking and listening a practical purpose: children use their growing language skills with one another.
Forest School takes learning outside regularly, with waterproof clothing and wellies kept at school. Trips, visitors and encounters with animals add further experiences to discuss. Friday visits to the shop for snack ingredients connect learning with an everyday task, followed by making food. The Early Years planning also names stories such as Peace at Last and Three Little Pigs, giving families concrete examples of the texts used as starting points.
Tapestry connects home and nursery learning. Staff upload children's learning, and parents are encouraged to contribute activities completed at home. Nursery homework is optional; a Busy Bag goes home on Friday for weekend use and returns on Thursday. This gives families a practical way to join in beyond the session.
Support is responsive to individual learning needs. In January 2026, early years staff provided effective help for disadvantaged children, children with SEND and those learning English as an additional language. Extra practice is tailored to what each child still needs to learn, building on skills already introduced. Teaching assistants also used speech and language specialists' advice to develop vocabulary.
For concerns about development, parents can begin with the class teacher or arrange an appointment with the inclusion coordinator through the office. Food has a practical place here too: nursery lunch runs from noon to 1pm, and school meals are cooked in the school's own kitchens. Children bring a labelled bottle containing water, taking it home daily for cleaning and refilling.
Separate application. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.
Nursery and Reception sit within the Early Years unit. That shared organisation is distinct from entitlement to a school place; it should not be treated as an admissions advantage.
Morning nursery doors open at 8.45am, ahead of the 9am session. Indoor slippers are requested, and clothing should carry the child's name. The school accepts uniform in its colours without a crest and has pre-loved items available through the office.
Funky Friends provides breakfast and after-school care for attending children aged 3 to 11, with holiday care during Easter, summer and Christmas. Breakfast care runs from 7.30am to 8.45am, and after-school care from 3.15pm to 6pm. These options may help families extend care around nursery attendance. Contact Funky Friends directly about bookings and current charges.
Nursery enquiries go through the school office on 01925 224686 or stpaulofthecross_primary@sch.warrington.gov.uk. The school is accessible, with disabled parking in its car park.
Children can attend mornings, afternoons or both, usually retaining the same pattern throughout nursery. Mornings run from 9am to noon, afternoons from 1pm to 3.15pm, with lunch from noon to 1pm.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process, by its deadline.
Early Years children take part in Forest School and spend time outside regularly. Families are asked to leave waterproofs and wellies at school.
Tapestry carries learning updates, and parents can upload learning from home. Nursery homework is optional, with a Busy Bag sent home for weekend use.
Funky Friends offers breakfast and after-school care for children aged 3 to 11 who attend the school, plus Easter, summer and Christmas holiday care. Contact the club directly for bookings and current charges.
