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Nursery at St Bernadette's 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Talk, stories and time to follow a child's own ideas shape nursery life at St Bernadette's in Shevington. This is the Catholic primary school's own Nursery class, on Church Lane, with learning planned for both indoors and outdoors. Books and conversation give the provision its character.
Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good following the inspection on 11 and 12 July 2023. That judgement covers the early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Short periods of teaching with an adult alternate with longer stretches of play chosen by the children. Small group activities give staff opportunities to check understanding and respond to difficulties. A fresh theme each half term supplies ideas, while children's interests can change the direction of learning. There is room to explore.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, physical development and personal development with learning about literacy, mathematics, the world and creative expression. Here, indoor and outdoor experiences receive equal emphasis. One example is making a boat for a favourite toy: children investigate materials and try out designs, giving practical purpose to their questions.
Language gets deliberate attention through Word of the day and topic vocabulary webs. Our Golden books are revisited across the year, helping children encounter unfamiliar vocabulary and practise telling stories. Nursery mark-making begins in Squiggling Books, so early attempts to put ideas on paper have a place alongside talk and play.
Number learning uses games, objects children can handle and pictures, with opportunities to practise during their own explorations. Families receive The Number of the Week newsletter to connect home activities with learning. Catholic teaching also forms part of early years provision: To know You more clearly combines group teaching with activities children can access during play.
Preparation starts before a child joins. Staff talk with families and previous settings to understand earlier learning, interests and needs; summer scrapbooks contribute to that picture. Parent App and Class Dojo provide communication routes, and families are encouraged to share achievements from home. These exchanges help staff build on what a child already knows.
In July 2023, early years staff supported children effectively with emotions and behaviour, including learning to share resources and wait for a turn. These are practical skills for playing alongside other children.
For special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school's approach moves through assessment, planned support, delivery and review. Individual Plans are discussed with parents and reviewed termly. Keys to Communication is a named nursery intervention that may be used where appropriate. The school's SEND resources also include a Sensory Room and Calm Room, giving families concrete provision to discuss when considering their child's needs.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the 2027–2028 admission arrangements. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority. For September 2027 entry, the deadline is 15 January 2027; families applying under faith criteria 2 to 6 are also asked to return the Supplementary Information Form with supporting documents in person to school by that date.
Familiarity develops separately from admission. Nursery children can join afternoon sessions in the Reception classroom during the summer term, followed by a full day in the final week, including dinner in the hall. The Early Years Team at Wigan helps coordinate transitions for children with identified SEND needs.
Morning sessions run from 9am to noon; afternoon sessions run from noon to 3pm. Parents bring children to, and collect them from, the Nursery doors. These nursery times are the ones to use when planning the family day.
The nursery follows the school and nursery term calendar. In 2026–2027, autumn term ends on 18 December 2026, and children do not attend the inset day on 25 June 2027. Enquiries can go to the school office on 01257 401125 or enquiries@admin.saintbernadettes.wigan.sch.uk. An online Nursery Environment Tour offers another way to explore the setting.
The morning session is 9am to noon, and the afternoon session is noon to 3pm. Drop-off and collection are at the Nursery doors.
No. Attendance does not guarantee a place or confer priority under the 2027–2028 arrangements. A separate application goes through the home local authority, with a deadline of 15 January 2027 for September 2027 entry.
Children can attend afternoon sessions during the summer term and spend a full day in their new Reception class in the final week, including dinner in the hall.
Families can share achievements from home and communicate through Parent App and Class Dojo. The Number of the Week newsletter also supports learning at home.
Support follows an assessment, planning, delivery and review cycle. Individual Plans are shared with parents and reviewed termly, and Keys to Communication is among the interventions that may be used in Nursery.
