Greenbank Preparatory School Nursery Review

Baby Bees, Honey Bees, Bumble Bees and Busy Bees give Greenbank’s youngest children a progression through rooms organised around development and age. The Day Nursery starts at six months; Preschool follows from the September after a child turns three. It brings a teacher-led stage into the same setting, with a qualified teacher working full time alongside teaching assistants.

In Cheadle Hulme, the nursery has its own enclosed garden, including a separate outdoor area for babies. Preschool occupies a bright room adjoining the school’s Reception classroom. These are distinct stages of provision, with different spaces and routines as children grow.

Play shapes the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines development, care and learning, with activities chosen around children’s interests. Children can select experiences during the day, while their key person observes what they achieve and plans what to introduce next. That gives freely chosen play a purpose beyond keeping children occupied.

Baby Bees provides a large, bright space for the youngest children. In Honey Bees, conversation with adults and play support emerging social and language skills. Bumble Bees adds practical independence, including dressing, eating and toileting. Busy Bees children use the school hall for a weekly movement and music session led by a dance teacher. Daily singing brings nursery children together with rhymes and instruments, and gives siblings time together.

Outside, the garden supports water and sand exploration alongside physical play. Babies have daily outdoor time. In April 2025, children practised balancing using planks and tyres, explored textured materials and developed cutting skills. Such activities build coordination and the hand control needed for later writing. Preschool adds role play, creative work and mark making, with a computer and interactive whiteboard among its resources.

Education and behaviour in the registered early years provision were both graded good by ISI on 1 to 3 April 2025. There were still teaching priorities: adults sometimes missed chances to deepen learning during spontaneous play, and information about children learning English as an additional language needed to reach staff more effectively.

Each nursery child has a key person; Preschool uses a key worker to follow development and record achievements. Settling can include multiple sessions, adjusted to the child’s pace. An introductory book about the child, daily diary sheets and feedback after sessions connect home routines with nursery life. Parents can telephone during the day, while Preschool also uses fortnightly newsletters.

CH&Co provides catering, with menus for Day Nursery and Preschool. Allergies and individual dietary needs are accommodated. In April 2025, mealtimes included close supervision and allergy precautions, while sleeping children were closely supervised and babies’ home routines informed their care. Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities involved other professionals, although leaders needed a better understanding of additional funding eligibility.

Safety and inspection history. The April 2025 ISI inspection graded the registered early years provision inadequate overall, including personal development and leadership, because unsecured entrances and ineffective risk assessment compromised safeguarding. The education grade did not cancel that concern. On 5 November 2025, a progress monitoring visit confirmed that the standards considered were met: biometric gates controlled access, unfamiliar people were challenged, and rooms and outdoor spaces received daily checks. That later visit was ungraded, so it did not replace the April judgement.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception. Confirm the Reception application route and deadline with the admissions team. Greenbank accepts enquiries through its Admissions Enquiry Form or admissions team.

Preschool’s location beside Reception provides physical continuity, and its curriculum develops early number, literacy, communication and emotional skills. This preparation is intended for children moving to Greenbank or to another school. It should be considered separately from securing admission.

Nursery and Preschool operate for 50 weeks annually, opening at 7:30am and closing at 6pm. Morning sessions finish at 1pm; afternoon sessions run from 1pm to 6pm, alongside the full-day option. Bank holidays and a two-week Christmas closure interrupt the annual pattern.

The booking conditions request at least two sessions each week, with payment monthly in advance and four weeks’ notice before leaving. General absence, illness and holidays do not attract refunds or reductions. Refer to the school for current charges.

To enquire or arrange a nursery tour, use admissions@greenbankschool.co.uk or call 0161 485 3724. Tours follow registration of interest, with settling sessions arranged afterwards.