Holcombe Brook Primary School Nursery

Stories, outdoor exploration and links with Ramsbottom Library give this nursery's September 2021 account its character. At its September 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated Holcombe Brook Primary School Nursery Good and found safeguarding effective. The detail is useful: children explored stories through drawing and puppets, helped one another learn routines and took part in experiences beyond the nursery.

There are 26 places in total, with an accepted age range of 24 to 60 months. The nursery is based at Holcombe Brook CP School on Longsight Road, Ramsbottom, Bury. Its school-ground setting matters practically, but the nursery and a school place are separate decisions.

In September 2021, the early years foundation stage took concrete form through drawing, stories, songs and physical activity: children practised pencil control, explored sounds and learnt about nature. These examples explain the framework through what children actually did.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar supplied a starting point for drawing numbers and shapes. Owl puppets accompanied storytelling, while citrus fruit added a sensory element to a water-tray rhyme. This gave children several ways to engage with language, from listening and singing to making marks of their own.

Outdoor learning had a physical setting too. In September 2021, a forest dwelling supported nature exploration and movement. Listening activities introduced a monkey drum and a rainmaker, connecting unfamiliar sounds with children's existing understanding of instruments and weather.

Community experiences extended the nursery day. In September 2021, children regularly had contact with residents of a local care home and visited a supermarket and Ramsbottom Library. Staff also arranged a bus ride for children who had not experienced one before. These were concrete opportunities to encounter people, places and everyday routines beyond the setting.

In September 2021, children helped newer and younger companions understand routines, try activities and put toys away. Staff used humour and sensitive interaction, and new children could share personal belongings brought from home. Familiar objects gave them something personal to contribute to the group.

A nursery library enabled children to borrow books to take home in September 2021. At lunch, children walked to the school hall, chose a school meal and practised manners during the shared meal. Conversations about milk, yoghurt and bones also connected snack time with learning about physical health.

At the September 2021 inspection, Ofsted identified two improvements: teaching needed a clearer sequence that built on each child's existing understanding, and parents needed fuller involvement in both children's learning and the nursery's evaluation. These are useful points to explore alongside the examples of daily activity.

The address is Holcombe Brook CP School, Longsight Road, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9TA. The nursery opens during term time, Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 17:30. That opening window is the practical starting point for matching care with work and family commitments.

In September 2021, the nursery provided early years funding for three- and four-year-old children. That is a dated funding arrangement.

The nursery occupies school grounds. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a place at Holcombe Brook CP School.

• Learning progression. In September 2021, activities did not consistently extend what individual children already understood. Look for how staff choose each child's next learning steps.
• Parent involvement. The September 2021 improvement priorities included children's learning and parents' contribution to evaluating the nursery. A visit can explore how those two forms of involvement work now.
• Term-time attendance. Opening hours are 08:00 to 17:30 on weekdays during term time. Before joining, ask which booking patterns and funded-hour arrangements would apply to your child.

For families seeking term-time childcare within school grounds, Holcombe Brook Primary School Nursery has a clear practical identity. Its September 2021 account gives substance to the experience: storytelling with props, a forest dwelling and community connections including Ramsbottom Library. The Good judgement sits alongside specific improvement priorities about learning progression and parent involvement. Both deserve weight in a family's decision.