St Paul's Nursery School: nursery life in York

Adventure Island outside, storytelling inside and extra help with communication give St Paul's Nursery School its character. This is a nursery school in its own right, with mainstream provision alongside an Enhanced Resource Provision (ERP) offering 8 full-time places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Children can start at 2 and attend until school age, normally the term following their fourth birthday. The nursery is back at St Paul's Square in Holgate, York, and fully open. Its emphasis on language runs through play, books and signs, giving children several ways to express themselves and join in.

The morning session runs from 8:30 to 11:30; the afternoon from 12:30 to 3:30. Both start with time to settle, followed by a group activity, snack, freely chosen play and a closing group activity. That gives the session a recognisable rhythm while leaving children room to choose.

Adventure Island, room one and the busy room are kept accessible together whenever possible, allowing children to move between outdoor and indoor play. Smaller groups use the blue, yellow and green rooms. Forest School, singing, dancing and creative movement are shared opportunities for mainstream and ERP children.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) shapes learning across seven areas, combining communication, relationships and movement with early reading, numbers, creativity and understanding the world. Development Matters supports planning. Play and a selected book each week put those goals into activities children can understand; Tales Toolkit adds storytelling and imaginative play.

Early Talk for York brings a more structured approach to communication. Every child has a Wellcomm assessment, with support tailored to the results through group activities or individual sessions. Staff also teach three Makaton signs each week, offering another route into conversation and shared play.

In September 2023, Ofsted identified established work in early reading, speaking, listening and emotional development, but also required clearer learning steps in some curriculum areas and more consistent staff interactions. Those concerns matter: children's vocabulary and understanding were sometimes limited by differences in how adults supported activities.

Settling happens gradually. Taster sessions lead into longer attendance at a pace suited to the child, with a slower introduction where needed. Staff receive information about allergies, medical needs and diet before attendance begins. Each child has a staff handover at collection; information can also be sent through the family app when a parent does not collect.

Hot lunches for children staying all day are prepared in the nursery's kitchens, with special diets accommodated. Children are encouraged to help themselves and taste unfamiliar foods. In the upstairs dining room, an adult joins each table of 8 children, making lunch a supported social activity as well as a meal.

ERP support includes a teaching assistant ratio of 1:3, personal care and feeding assistance, and access to a sensory room with staff. A My Support Plan brings family and professional contributions together. For ERP children, teachers and key workers plan activities jointly, while targeted communication work can take place in a quieter space. In September 2023, safeguarding arrangements were effective.

Attending St Paul's does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the applicable deadline. Treat choosing a nursery and securing a primary school place as separate decisions.

For children in the ERP, termly My Support Plan meetings consider the support they may need at primary school and begin putting it in place early. This is preparation for the next setting, rather than an admissions advantage.

Term-time opening is Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pm. Families can request flexible hours, with a minimum commitment of 6 hours or two three-hour sessions. Breakfast and after-school clubs extend the nursery day; holiday club operates during most school holidays. Club availability can change at short notice because of staffing, so enquire before booking.

Funding can cover nursery sessions and breakfast or after-school club, but excludes the lunch meal and holiday club; lunchtime care can count within funded hours. Additional hours can be purchased. Contact the nursery for current charges. Uniform is optional.

Showarounds can be arranged by calling 01904 555995 or emailing st.pauls.nursery@york.gov.uk. The current address is 12 St Paul's Square, Holgate, York, YO24 4BD.