Age range
Reception to Year 6
Squirrels of St Marys
Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2023)
Number of places
36 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2023
Local authority
Hampshire
About this day nursery
St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, located in Gosport, operates under the Diocese of Portsmouth and is maintained by Hampshire County Council. The school serves the parishes of Gosport, Bridgemary, Stubbington, and Lee-on-Solent.
With a published admissions number of 30, the school follows the Local Authority's co-ordinated admissions procedure for primary schools, with the Governing Body ultimately allocating places. Admissions for the reception class close on January 15th each year, with decision letters sent out by April 16th.
The school has a detailed oversubscription policy, prioritising Catholic looked-after children, other Catholic children, non-Catholic looked-after children, heritage Catholics, and children of other Christian/faith categories before considering other applicants. Siblings of current students receive priority in tie-breaking situations, followed by proximity to the school determined by Hampshire County Council's GIS.
In the rare event of identical distances, random allocation is used. The school also offers provisions for applications outside the normal age group, including for summer-born children, and has a waiting list system that re-ranks applicants according to the admissions criteria.
Our ethos
For the purpose of these admission arrangements a baptised Catholic means a person baptised in a church in communion with the See of Rome, or a person received into the Catholic Church. The understanding of Catholic practice for the purpose of admission to schools in the Diocese of Portsmouth is “membership of the Catholic Church and attendance at Sunday Mass (this includes a Saturday evening Vigil Mass) and evidenced by a priest on the supplementary information form.
What it's like
Children of all abilities eagerly engage in physical activity. They move with confidence across crates, planks and tyres and have access to quiet areas that are carefully arranged with cushions, curtains and lights. Compassionate staff help children to be calm and content in this relaxed setting.
Catholic primary schoolHampshire County Council maintainedIn-year admissions
Pricing & funding
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Request pricing →Key facts
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Squirrels of St Marys
Last inspected 19 September 2023 · David Watkins
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Children of all abilities eagerly engage in physical activity. They move with confidence across crates, planks and tyres and have access to quiet areas that are carefully arranged with cushions, curtains and lights. Compassionate staff help children to be calm and content in this relaxed setting.
Inspector highlights
- Staff have a strong, inclusive ethos for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Staff use a range of effective techniques to support children to understand, including Makaton, visual cards, and visual timetables.
- Children with SEND follow individual education plans under the guidance of the enthusiastic special educational needs coordinator (SENCo).
- The positive and engaging manager is continually evaluating ways to enhance the provision for the children.
- Children are encouraged to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural world.
Areas to develop
- 1support staff to provide more consistent opportunities for children to experience language that is appropriate to their level of language development.
Inspection #10295790 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents of new starters report that their children have settled quickly and look forward to coming to the nursery.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff have a strong, inclusive ethos for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children have access to quiet areas carefully arranged with cushions, curtains and lights, which helps children with sensory processing difficulties or who struggle to regulate their emotions. Children with SEND follow individual education plans under the guidance of the enthusiastic special educational needs coordinator (SENCo), and as a result, children with SEND are improving their language and emotional regulation.
Outdoor space
Children demonstrate a love of the outdoors. They run and chase each other outside, undeterred by cold, wind or rain. The provision of more age-appropriate gym equipment outside has provided children of all ages with safe and engaging spaces in which to play and learn.
Inspection history
Date: September 2023
- October 2023Good
- September 2023Good
Frequently asked about Squirrels of St Marys
About the setting
Squirrels of St. Mary's is located on the same site as St. Mary's Catholic Primary School in Gosport. It registered at its current location in 2021 and shares toileting facilities with the primary school. The nursery is part of the Squirrels Nursery Ltd family-run chain of nurseries. It is open each weekday, during school term times only, from 8am until 4pm. There are four staff, three of whom hold appropriate qualifications at level 3.
- URN
- 2646626
- Registered person
- Squirrels Nursery Limited
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
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