Hardy Mill Primary School Nursery

Songs, movement and experimenting with sound give Hardy Mill's nursery a musical thread. Its curriculum includes action songs, exploring the voice and making sounds to accompany stories: concrete ways for young children to express themselves.

Crompton is the school's nursery class, with a nursery teacher listed in the staffing structure. The provision sits within Hardy Mill Primary School on Hardy Mill Road in Harwood, Bolton.

Music involves more than singing along. The nursery curriculum sets out opportunities to dance, try sound makers and use words to describe what children hear. Children can connect sound with movement, then begin putting those experiences into language. Action songs bring listening and physical participation together.

There is progression within these activities. Remembering familiar songs develops towards recalling complete songs, while playing instruments involves increasing control and expressing feelings or ideas. Creating sounds and movements for stories gives children another way to contribute to storytelling. These are curriculum intentions, rather than a fixed timetable for every session.

Ofsted's November 2024 inspection found that nursery rhymes and singing prepared children well for later phonics learning. That gives the musical emphasis a clear educational purpose alongside enjoyment and expression.

Access to the learning environment also matters. The school's accessibility plan describes wheelchair-accessible playgrounds and access from outside into the early-years corridor. Visual timetables are part of the school's classroom arrangements, providing a visible reference for the sequence of activities.

In November 2024, children developed a sense of belonging from their start in early years, and SEND identification began at that stage. Support involved families and outside professionals. For a child needing additional help, that places recognition of their needs early in their school experience.

The school's SEND process starts with the class teacher when parents raise a concern. Staff discuss it with the family, carry out checks and agree what should happen next. Learning Passports record individual targets, giving discussions about support a concrete focus. The school also uses Wellcomm, delivered by trained staff, to support early language development.

Physical care facilities include an accessible toilet, a shower room and facilities for nappy changing. For children with SEN or an Education, Health and Care Plan, parents are invited to a meeting before their child starts at Hardy Mill to discuss individual needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat the choice of nursery and the application for school as two decisions: familiarity with Hardy Mill does not secure admission.

The school office is the contact route, on 01204 333770 or office@hardymill.bolton.sch.uk. Hardy Mill's address is Hardy Mill Road, Harwood, Bolton, BL2 4EF. Use those details for nursery enquiries and correspondence.