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Nursery at St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Infant 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Story sacks, a rhyme station and a mud kitchen give this nursery a clear character: language grows through books, conversation and play. Nursery at St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Infant School caters for children aged three to four, within the school's early years provision on Esk Avenue in Whitehaven.
Catholic practice shapes the day. Children pray at morning, lunchtime and home time, with Bible stories and a weekly religious education lesson woven into their learning. Families choosing this nursery are choosing that religious rhythm alongside its play provision. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 19 and 20 March 2024; this judgement covers early years within the school.
Books run through the session rather than being confined to story time. A nursery reading spine gives children familiar texts to return to, while books elsewhere in the room connect reading with other activities. At the rhyme station, children sing and listen. Weekly story sacks bring books and related activities home, giving parents something concrete to share with their child.
Listening games, rhyme and recognising sounds prepare children for reading. Read Write Inc begins in the summer term for children moving to Reception that September. Talk for Writing uses familiar stories such as Jack and the Beanstalk; helicopter stories let children invent a story, tell it to a group and act it with friends. These are different ways to practise language before and alongside writing.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) links learning with children's development, interests and experiences. Here, Development Matters informs planning, and staff observations help decide each child's next steps. Indoors, children can work with playdough, build models, explore role play or use the finger gym. Outdoors, a stage, digging space, mud kitchen and den-making area give them room to perform, investigate and construct.
Practical exploration extends into science. A Curiosity Cube introduces topics through objects children examine and discuss; nursery planting with older pupils has created a herb garden and vegetable patch. Early years walks also draw attention to weather, wildlife and seasonal changes, making the surrounding area part of learning.
Curriculum precision. The March 2024 inspection identified school-wide weaknesses in the sequencing of essential knowledge in some subjects and in activities for applying learning. These concerns qualify the positive early years judgement and matter to families considering how learning builds over time.
Observation is central to individual support. Children receive an initial nursery assessment, followed by observations of their interests and achievements. Parents can contribute through Learning Book, the online learning journey, so experiences at home can inform planning too. A nursery phonics workshop introduces families to the reading approach and ways to help at home.
The school's SEND arrangements include support in small groups and, where needed, input from Speech and Language Therapists or Educational Psychology. Parents participate throughout the process. A sensory room near the nursery is available to children across the school who need it, giving additional provision a specific physical space.
Daily routines also teach social habits. In March 2024, even the youngest children were learning table manners, sharing and taking turns. These everyday interactions give children practice in being part of a group.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions route, following the applicable deadline. The school's admissions page directs school-place applicants to Cumberland Council and provides a separate Reception application link.
Preparation for the next stage includes summer-term Read Write Inc work for children due to move into Reception in September. Learning sounds is preparation for learning, rather than an admissions advantage.
Two nursery session options are listed: mornings run from 8:50am to 11:50am, and full days from 8:50am to 3:05pm. Wraparound care starts from age three. Breakfast Club begins at 7:30am; after-school care runs from 3:10pm to 5:30pm. Both are booked through the school office and carry charges; contact the school for current charges.
The school describes funded nursery provision from the term after a child's third birthday, with up to 15 hours or, subject to eligibility, 30 hours. Nursery application forms can be obtained from the office. For enquiries, use 01946 595010 or admin@ss-greg-pat.cumbria.sch.uk.
The school lists Nursery for children aged three to four.
Morning sessions run from 8:50am to 11:50am. Full-day sessions run from 8:50am to 3:05pm.
They practise listening, rhyme and distinguishing sounds. Children moving to Reception that September begin Read Write Inc in the summer term.
No. Families must apply separately through the normal school admissions route; the school's admissions page links to Cumberland Council.
Parents can contribute observations through Learning Book. For concerns about additional needs, contact the class teacher or arrange contact with the SENCO through the school office.
