Overleigh St Mary's Nursery Review

Thursday mornings bring Forest School into the nursery week at Overleigh St Mary's. Alongside indoor and outdoor classrooms, that gives this school nursery a clear outdoor strand, with opportunities for children to choose their play as well as take part in learning directed by adults.

The nursery forms part of Overleigh St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Handbridge, Chester. Class teachers and teaching assistants make up the nursery team. The school describes its Christian vision as Love God, Love Ourselves, Love People, placing relationships and respect within its aims for children.

Stories give the year its shape. Autumn begins with Peace at Last, followed by The Three Little Pigs; later themes include Crocodile Creek, The Pirates are Coming!, Gigantosaurus and The Sea Saw. These named books give parents concrete starting points for talking about the nursery's learning at home.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language and communication, physical development and children's social and emotional development with literacy, mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world. In parent language, learning includes how children communicate, move, relate to others and express ideas, alongside developing knowledge. The nursery combines activities guided by adults with learning that children start themselves.

Choice is part of the day. Areas in both classrooms, indoors and outdoors, let children initiate play and return to things they have already learned, exploring and developing their understanding. Forest School takes place on Thursday mornings. For families who value outdoor learning, this is a specific part of the nursery routine rather than simply a general school ambition.

Evidence Me connects nursery learning with home. Parents can view photographs and observations through the app, then add their own observations of what their child has been doing outside nursery. That makes communication a two-way exchange. The nursery team also invites parents to raise concerns, including those they feel are small.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities, the school's support process follows a cycle of assessing needs, planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing the result. Children receiving Inclusion Support have a Heart profile, reviewed each term. Parents are invited to discuss achievements, progress and next steps three times per academic year, giving families scheduled opportunities to shape support.

Support responds to individual needs. A formal diagnosis is not required before needs can be met, and identification of SEND does not automatically mean individual adult support. These distinctions matter when discussing what help would suit a child.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the applicable deadline. Keep that application separate from any arrangements for nursery attendance.

Transition support for children with SEND can include classroom visits where appropriate, buddies if requested, and personalised transition booklets or social stories when required. The SENDCo also shares information with staff and liaises with previous or future settings. These arrangements help prepare children for a change of class or setting; they do not secure admission.

The nursery is based at the school on Old Wrexham Road, Handbridge, Chester, CH4 7HS. For enquiries about spaces, contact the school office on 01244 267525 or email admin@osm.cheshire.sch.uk.

School open-day visits can also be arranged through the office. This gives prospective parents a direct route to meet the school before making their choice.