Holy Rosary Catholic Primary Academy Nursery

Scissors, stories and growing independence give Holy Rosary’s nursery its character. Opened in September 2025 for children aged 3 and 4, it is the nursery class within Holy Rosary Catholic Primary Academy in Wolverhampton. Families can choose 15-hour or 30-hour places.

Ofsted’s December 2025 inspection judged the school’s early years provision to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Play is the starting point. The school aims to build learning around children’s interests and experiences, combining activities chosen by children with those guided by adults. Teachers plan from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which brings care and learning together. In parent terms, the priorities include communication, physical development and learning to get along with others, alongside maths, literacy, creative work and exploring the world.

There is a practical emphasis on becoming independent. In December 2025, early years children began their day with tasks developing movement, hand control and the formation of numbers and letters. Nursery activities included handling scissors and hearing stories. These give children opportunities to practise precise movements and pay attention to spoken language, rather than treating preparation for school solely as reading and writing.

Listening and sharing also form part of the learning. Staff have the expertise to extend vocabulary, but in December 2025 their conversations with children were not consistently tackling communication and language gaps promptly. Language support. This was an early years improvement priority, making the way adults develop conversation an important consideration for families.

Familiarity matters here. In December 2025, early years staff understood the children well, paid attention to their safety and provided care that helped them feel secure and happy. That gives the emphasis on independence a foundation in close adult support.

Across the school, the THRIVE approach is used to support children’s emotional wellbeing. For communication with home, Arbor lets parents update contact details, give permissions and book consultations when these are offered. It brings several routine parent tasks into one place.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the City of Wolverhampton Council’s normal primary admissions process, meeting the deadline for their application cycle. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception are separate decisions.

Preparation for the move is a different matter. For children joining Reception from Holy Rosary’s nursery or another setting, the school arranges telephone contact, school visits and home visits to get to know the child. These offer ways to share information and build familiarity before the change of class. They do not secure admission.

Sessions run Monday to Friday. Mornings are 8.35am to 11.35am; afternoons are 12.15pm to 3.15pm. The 15-hour and 30-hour options give families different attendance patterns, with a charge for lunchtime wraparound care attached to the 30-hour place. Contact the school for current charges.

Nursery places are allocated directly by the school. Enquiries go to the office on 01902 878440, which can also arrange a nursery tour. The academy is on Hickman Avenue, Wolverhampton, WV1 2BS. A tour provides a practical opportunity to see the nursery class before deciding whether its approach suits your child.