Chantlers Primary School Nursery Review

Stories give Chantlers’ nursery a clear starting point: children listen to books that help them develop their language and communication. This is the school’s own Pre-School at Foulds Avenue in Bury, welcoming children from the term after they turn three. Funded places cover children aged three and four, with entry points in January, April and September.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 18 and 19 March 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Listening and talking have a concrete role here. In March 2025, nursery storytelling supported children’s communication and language development well. For a parent, that gives the reading offer a purpose beyond becoming familiar with books: stories also help children develop the language they use to express themselves.

Forest School featured for Pre-School in the September 2024 calendar. A Pre-School Sports Day followed in July 2025. These are dated examples of activity beyond the classroom, rather than a promise about the frequency of outdoor sessions.

Learning at home is also made practical. The preparation guidance encourages parents to discuss picture books, revisit rhymes and help children count objects one by one. Creative suggestions include exploring water, sand and clay, while growing plants and baking provide starting points for scientific conversations. These are suggestions for families, giving parents specific ways to extend talk, number awareness and exploration before their child starts.

Settling begins with contact at home. An application leads to a home visit and then a familiarisation session for the child before the place is confirmed. This gives the family and child an introduction to Pre-School before the regular sessions begin.

Independence is part of the preparation advice: parents are encouraged to practise dressing, handwashing and using the toilet, alongside handling cutlery. These everyday tasks make the guidance useful beyond learning activities. For children attending both sessions, the Fees and Funding guidance requires a packed lunch and describes a charge for lunchtime supervision. Families should confirm the current lunch arrangement and charges when agreeing their attendance pattern.

For children with additional needs, the Pre-School admissions process considers whether the provision can meet each child’s needs at every stage.

Attending Chantlers’ nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate Reception application directly to Bury Council and meet the normal deadline for their entry year.

The arrangements headed September 2023 did not include nursery attendance among their priority categories. Families should use the arrangements for their child’s entry year when making that separate application. Preparation for the move is a different matter: the July 2025 calendar included Pre-School Move-Up Meetings, providing a specific occasion to discuss the next step.

Two attendance models are offered. The full-time option runs from 8:30am to 3:15pm, Monday to Friday, with a 45-minute lunch break. Continuous Provision runs from 8:30am to 2:30pm on those days. Under that second model, staying until 3:15pm attracts an additional charge.

For the 15-hour pattern, families can choose mornings from 8:30am to 11:30am, afternoons from 12:15pm to 3:15pm, or a pattern spread over two and a half days. Eligible families can take 30 funded hours; 15 funded hours are also offered. Ask the school for current charges when choosing the pattern.

Applications are accepted throughout the year. To enquire or arrange a visit, telephone the office on 0161 761 1074 or complete the Pre-School enquiry form.