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Nursery at St Mary's CofE Primary School, Deane
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, poems and rhymes give the youngest children a starting point for learning at St Mary's, alongside provision that includes two-year-olds. This is the school's own early years provision in Deane, Bolton, rather than a separate nursery setting.
At the inspection on 31 January and 1 February 2024, Ofsted found that children in the two-year-old provision developed well socially and academically. That gives families a specific assessment of the youngest children's experience, rather than relying on the school's overall judgement.
Early reading brings together listening, language and participation. Children encounter poems, stories and rhymes in the early years, giving them ways to enjoy language before reading independently. Phonics teaching uses expressive voices and gestures to make learning lively and involve children actively.
Monster Phonics is the school's named EYFS phonics approach. Its lesson sequence revisits earlier learning, introduces something new, gives children an activity to practise it, then checks what they have learned. Colour links spellings with sounds. These are concrete features of the school's approach, rather than a promise that every nursery child follows the same reading stage.
The early years foundation stage curriculum includes the two-year-old provision. Learning is sequenced, with vocabulary, skills and knowledge planned together, so new learning has an intended order rather than being a collection of disconnected activities.
Support for additional needs starts early. In January and February 2024, children's SEND needs in the early years were recognised promptly, and teaching was adjusted to help them access the curriculum alongside their peers. Children with more complex needs had individually planned learning. The practical implication is support shaped around the child, rather than one teaching pattern for everyone.
An SENCO role covers EYFS and Year 1, and the school office is the contact route for that team. Early years children also met high expectations for behaviour at the inspection, making social learning part of the educational picture.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. It also gives no priority under Bolton's admission arrangements for 2027–28. Families must make a separate Reception application through www.bolton.gov.uk/admissions by 15 January 2027 for that intake.
Reception application. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions. Keep the Reception deadline in your plans even if your child already attends St Mary's. Families applying under the church connection criterion must also return the supplementary form to the local authority by the same deadline.
Nursery sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am or from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Each pattern is listed as 15 hours per week. Preschool has the same morning times, but its afternoon runs from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. That difference matters when arranging collection.
For nursery applications, contact the office on 01204 333494 or email office@st-marys-deane.bolton.sch.uk to request a form. The school is on Edale Road, Bolton, BL3 4QP. Nursery enquiries go to the school; the separate Reception application goes through the council's admissions route.
Yes. St Mary's has provision for two-year-old children within the school.
Morning nursery runs from 8:45am to 11:45am, and afternoon nursery from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Each pattern is listed as 15 hours per week.
The school's EYFS phonics approach uses Monster Phonics, including colour to connect sounds and spellings. Early years children also encounter stories, rhymes and poems.
No. Attendance does not guarantee a place or confer priority under the 2027–28 arrangements. Apply separately through www.bolton.gov.uk/admissions by 15 January 2027 for that intake.
Contact the school office on 01204 333494 or email office@st-marys-deane.bolton.sch.uk.
