Waterloo Primary School & Nursery
Our Nursery
The best possible start
At Waterloo Nursery, children learn in a happy, nurturing and language-rich environment where they are known, valued and encouraged to SHINE.
Our experienced early years team helps children to develop the communication, independence, confidence and curiosity they need for the next stage of their education. Children learn through a careful balance of purposeful play, exploration, stories, songs, direct teaching and high-quality interactions with adults.
Our Nursery is an integral part of Waterloo Primary School. Children benefit from being part of the wider school community while enjoying provision designed specifically for their age and stage of development.
Our Nursery provision
We offer early education and childcare for:
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Two-year-old children
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Three and four-year-old children
Depending upon availability and eligibility, families may be able to access:
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Funded two-year-old places;
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The universal 15-hour entitlement for three and four-year-olds;
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Up to 30 funded hours for eligible working families;
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Additional paid sessions, where places are available; and
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Breakfast and after-school care for eligible nursery-aged children.
The sessions available may depend upon your child’s age, funding entitlement and the number of places available. The school office will help you understand the options available to your family.
Learning in our Nursery
Our Nursery curriculum gives children strong foundations for future learning. It is carefully sequenced so that children build knowledge, vocabulary and skills over time and are well-prepared for Reception.
Children are supported to develop across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage, with a particular focus on:
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Communication, language and vocabulary;
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Personal, social and emotional development;
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Physical development and independence;
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Early reading and a love of stories;
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Early writing and mark-making;
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Number, pattern and mathematical thinking;
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Understanding the world; and
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Imagination, creativity and self-expression.
Learning takes place indoors and outdoors. Our staff observe children closely, respond to their interests and provide appropriate support and challenge. We want every child—including those with additional needs—to participate, belong and achieve.
Visiting Waterloo Nursery
The best way to find out whether Waterloo Nursery is right for your child is to come and see us.
During your visit, you will be able to:
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Meet members of our early years team;
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See the Nursery learning environment;
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Learn about our curriculum and daily routines;
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Discuss the sessions that may be available; and
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Ask questions about your child’s individual needs.
To arrange a visit, call 0151 928 4274 or email admin@wps.mvlt.co.uk
How to apply
Applications for Waterloo Nursery are made directly to the school. Nursery applications are not managed through Sefton’s primary school admissions process.
To express an interest in a place, please contact the school office.
An expression of interest or application form can be submitted before your child is old enough to start. However, submitting a form does not guarantee that a place or a particular pattern of sessions will be available.
When can my child start?
Children will normally become eligible for a funded place from the beginning of the term following the relevant birthday or eligibility date.
The usual funded intake points are:
| Child becomes eligible by | Funding can normally begin |
|---|---|
| 31 August | Autumn term |
| 31 December | Spring term |
| 31 March | Summer term |
Admission also depends upon the type of place requested, your child’s funding eligibility and the availability of suitable sessions.
The school will confirm your child’s proposed start date and session pattern in writing.
Funded childcare
Three and four-year-olds
All three and four-year-old children in England are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education each week for 38 weeks of the year, beginning from the term after their third birthday.
Eligible working families may be entitled to up to 30 funded hours each week.
Two-year-olds
Some two-year-olds are entitled to funded early education because their family receives particular support or because the child meets certain additional criteria.
Eligible working families may also qualify for funded childcare from the term after their child reaches the relevant age.
Eligibility for funded hours is determined under the government’s childcare schemes, rather than by the school. Availability of a Waterloo Nursery place remains subject to our admissions arrangements and capacity.
Check your eligibility for funded childcare
Your childcare code
If you are claiming funded childcare for working families, you will need to:
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Apply through the government childcare service;
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Give the school your valid eligibility code and the requested family details;
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Complete the school’s funding declaration; and
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Reconfirm your eligibility through your childcare account every three months.
We recommend applying or reconfirming well before the government’s termly deadline. Funding cannot always be backdated if a valid code has not been obtained in time.
Sessions & Fees
15 Hour Patterns
| Attendance pattern | Funded hours (15 hours per week) | Optional additional care |
|---|---|---|
| Five mornings |
Monday–Friday |
Lunchtime care until 12.30pm £4.00 per day |
| Five afternoons | Monday–Friday 12.30pm–3.30pm |
Lunchtime care from 11.45am £4.00 per day |
| Beginning of the week |
Monday and Tuesday: Wednesday—choose either: |
Monday and Tuesday: extend until 3.30pm Wednesday: add lunchtime care by staying until 12.30pm or arriving at 11.45am |
| End of the week |
Wednesday—choose either: Thursday and Friday: |
Wednesday: add lunchtime care by staying until 12.30pm or arriving at 11.45am Thursday and Friday: extend until 3.30pm |
30 Hour Pattern
| Attendance pattern | Funded hours (15 hours per week) | Optional additional care |
|---|---|---|
| Full days |
Monday–Friday |
Extended care until 3.30pm £4.00 per day |
Lunches
Children attending over lunchtime may bring a packed lunch from home or order a school meal for £2.90 per day. The cost of a school meal is separate from the charge for additional lunchtime care.
Snacks
We provide a healthy snack during nursery sessions. Parents are asked to make a contribution, where possible, towards the cost. Parents may provide an appropriate healthy snack from home in accordance with the school’s allergy and healthy-eating requirements.
How places are allocated
Where there are more applications than available places, Nursery places will be allocated in accordance with Waterloo’s Nursery Admissions Policy.
The school may consider factors including:
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Children who are looked after or have previously been looked after;
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Children with an identified social or medical need;
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Children with a brother or sister attending Waterloo;
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The child’s age and readiness for the available provision;
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The session pattern requested;
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The availability of places within the relevant age group; and
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Distance between the child’s home and the school.
The definitive criteria and any tie-break arrangements will be set out in the published policy - you can find this on our Policies page.
Allocation of sessions
We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate a family’s preferred sessions. However, particular days, times or full-day patterns cannot be guaranteed.
A place will only be confirmed when the school has issued a formal offer. Families may be asked to accept the offer by a specified date. If an offer is not accepted within that period, the place may be offered to another child.
Where a preferred session pattern is unavailable, we may offer an alternative or place the child on a waiting list.
Paid sessions and additional charges
Where capacity allows, families may be able to purchase additional Nursery sessions beyond their funded entitlement.
Funded early education hours are provided without a compulsory charge. There may be separate charges for optional additional hours, meals, wraparound care, trips or other additional services. Full information about any charges will be provided before a place is accepted.
[View Nursery Sessions and Charges]
Children with additional needs
We welcome children with a wide range of needs and work closely with parents, health professionals and Sefton’s early years services.
Sharing information early helps us plan effectively for your child. When you apply, please tell us if your child:
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Has an identified or suspected additional need;
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Has an Education, Health and Care Plan;
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Receives support from a health or early years professional;
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Has a medical condition, allergy or dietary need; or
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May require adjustments to access the Nursery safely.
Having an additional need does not automatically give priority for a place unless this is provided for within the Nursery Admissions Policy.
Preparing to start
Once a place has been accepted, we will work with you to support a positive transition into Nursery. This may include:
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An information meeting for parents and carers;
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Opportunities for your child to visit;
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Discussions with your child’s previous setting;
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Sharing information about routines, interests and needs; and
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A gradual or personalised start, where appropriate.
We recognise that starting Nursery is an important step for the whole family. Our aim is for every child to feel safe, settled and excited to learn.
Nursery and Reception are separate admissions
A place in Waterloo Nursery does not guarantee a place in Waterloo Reception.
Parents must make a separate application for Reception through their home local authority. Reception places are allocated using the statutory school admissions arrangements, and Nursery attendance is not an admissions priority.
Find out about applying for a Reception place
Contact us
Waterloo Primary School and Nursery
Crosby Road North
Waterloo
Liverpool
L22 0LD
Telephone: 0151 928 4274
Email: admin@wps.mvlt.co.uk
We would be delighted to welcome you and your child to Waterloo.