" I feel it is crucial that children get as early and as good a start in an education environment as soon as possible to enable them to grow emotionally, socially as a valued child in our community"

(Peter Dowd, Bootle MP)

Children can start Buddies nursery the term after their 2nd birthday.

Some two year olds in Sefton can get FREE early learning and childcare support if they meet one or more of the eligibility criteria. If applicable, please be sure to apply for funding as soon as it is possible. For more information you can contact Sefton council on 0151 933 6021 or click here to check the funding criteria. You can also complete an online application form for funded early learning. From April 2024, there will be an expansion in the childcare support working families can receive, this includes 15 free hours for two year olds. If you think you may be eligible, go to Childcare Choices to find out more: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ 

If you are not entitled to a funded place, your child can still attend Buddies Nursery at a small cost. 

Your child's name can be placed on our waiting list any time before their 2nd birthday by completing our electronic application form. 

We would encourage you to arrange a visit to Buddies Nursery (restrictions allowing) to meet our team and see our purposefully planned indoor and outdoor environment. In the meantime you can watch our Welcome Video to see for yourself what our philosophy looks like in practice. 

We offer 15 hours a week to each child (if you are entitled to the two year old funding, this is free). The 15 hours will be used by your child attending either morning or afternoon sessions. Session times are as follows:

Morning: 9am - 11:45am

Afternoon: 12:15pm - 3pm

It is easy to register your child at Buddies Nursery. Simply complete the following form or contact the school office for more information - click on the links below:

Registration form

School Office email 

Curriculum 

Our main focus in Buddies are the Prime Areas of Development - Communication & Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Physical Develeopment. Beyond this our EYFS curriculum is designed to thread through from Buddies to Reception. With this is mind our overarching themes are rooted in a quality key text. In Buddies we focus on two quality texts per term to ensure that there is plenty of time and space to explore children's individual and collective interests, using PLOD planning (Possible Lines Of Development). The child will always remain at the centre of our practice and though observations and parental involvement, Key Workers plan individualised 'Next Steps' that feed into our weekly planning. We value the notion that young children are experts in their own lives and as such are co-constructors of their learning alongside skilled adults.

Buddies' Curriculum Map 2022-23

Parental Feedback

"I can’t praise nor thank buddies enough for their support and encouragement for the families and the children. We love you" 

"Staff are so lovely and so helpful. I'm so happy [my daughter] is happy there and made lots of friends she tells me everyday about them"

"He’s come such a long way in the past 4 months from his talking, his sharing and even his funny little songs he sings...He really enjoys coming in everyday and playing with his friends, learning so much. I couldn’t wish for a better environment for [my son] to spend his day in. All the staff are understanding, kind and are so informative about his day"

"He has made nice little friendships as have I with other parents and children and staff are wonderful. I feel very lucky that this provision is available to our community"