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Nursery at Manor Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Bubbles, hatching eggs and songs give Manor’s nursery learning a concrete, hands-on character. Children can start from age two, with the nursery usually organised into two rooms: one for children aged two to three and another for those aged three to four. Older two-year-olds may join the older room if applications from their age group outnumber those for three- and four-year-olds. Room allocation can therefore depend on demand.
This is Manor Primary School’s own nursery in Didcot. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 11 and 12 October 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Learning moves between independent activity and time with adults. The example Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) timetable includes phonics, English or project work, mathematics, personal and social learning, and a story before home time. In parent terms, the foundation stage combines early learning with developing communication, physical skills and relationships. Snack is woven into independent learning, while lunch takes place in the hall, followed by playtime.
Nursery activities make those ideas tangible. In July 2026, children changed the speed of their whisking to investigate bubbles, then described their observations using vocabulary including foam and mix. An April activity involved caring for eggs as they hatched. These are opportunities to observe change and put discoveries into words.
Early sound work uses listening, singing, actions and play. Colourful Semantics adds visual prompts and Makaton signs to support understanding and sentence building. Outdoors, the early years garden hosted nursery races and activities in June 2026, giving children space for physical activity alongside their classroom learning.
Settling begins with information about the child. Nursery induction includes home visits and an All About Me form, with a staggered start. This gives staff a basis for planning around medical needs and existing support. Tapestry is used for communication with early years families.
For lunch, families can choose a meal prepared by the school kitchen team or send a healthy packed lunch. School meals carry a separate charge; contact the school for current charges. Children who are still learning to use the toilet can participate in activities, with staff and parents working together on toilet training unless medical or developmental circumstances make that inappropriate.
Language support starts with WellComm assessments on entry and continues through early years. Early Talk Boost is another option for communication needs. The SENCO works with nursery staff on additional funding requests when a child needs support beyond the usual staffing ratio. Such additional support depends on funding being requested and received from the local authority, so families needing it should plan with the team before admission. In October 2023, children were learning about feelings, listening, sharing and taking turns from early years onwards.
A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place at Manor. There is no automatic transfer: families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process for their home local authority. Oxfordshire County Council manages applications to Manor. For September 2026 entry, the closing date was 15 January 2026; that cycle has passed.
Preparation and allocation are separate matters. The September EYFS induction programme includes opportunities to play before starting, consultation with parents and a planned transition at the beginning of term. Children with complex needs can have a transition review involving their parents and relevant agencies, followed by an agreed plan.
Term-time attendance follows fixed weekly patterns. Two 15-hour options cover either Monday and Tuesday with a short Wednesday morning, or a short Wednesday afternoon followed by Thursday and Friday. The 30-hour pattern finishes at 12.40pm on Wednesday; the other four days run from 8.40am to 3.10pm. A 32.5-hour option uses those full-day times throughout the working week. A charged Wednesday extension can take a 30-hour place through to 3.10pm.
Fully funded places are offered, with funding used within the main nursery hours. Universal funding covers 15 hours from the term after a child turns three; additional hours depend on eligibility. Parents can pay for hours their funding does not cover.
Care beyond nursery hours. The school’s breakfast and afterschool provision excludes nursery-aged children. Families needing a longer day must account for that restriction.
Uniform consists of a white polo, navy sweatshirt and black shorts, leggings or jogging bottoms. There is no parent parking on site, and families are asked to park farther away and walk. Nursery enquiries go to nursery@manorprimaryschool.org; tour enquiries can be made through the school office on 01235 812762.
Children are eligible for a nursery place from age two. Rooms usually cater for ages two to three and three to four.
No. Nursery attendance is term-time only, with full-day hours of 8.40am to 3.10pm.
Yes. The school kitchen prepares lunches, which carry a separate charge. A healthy packed lunch is an alternative.
No. There is no automatic transfer. Families must apply separately through their home local authority’s normal admissions process.
No. The school’s wraparound provision excludes nursery-aged children.
