Godley Community Primary Academy Nursery

Stories, sound and practical exploration give Godley’s nursery its character. A book provides the starting point for early years themes, while children can choose learning indoors or outside. This is nursery provision within Godley Community Primary Academy on Saint John’s Drive in Hyde, with early years teachers and teaching assistants forming the Foundation Stage team.

Part-time nursery education is for children aged three and four. Free part-time entitlement begins from the term following a child’s third birthday; admission for younger children depends on available places. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 13 and 14 June 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school.

Choice and adult guidance both shape the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines activities led by adults with children’s own exploration and tasks to attempt independently. In practice, children make marks, explore books and tackle problems; adults use questions to extend their thinking. The school aims to develop language through practical experiences and conversation, giving children reasons to explain their ideas and listen to others.

Monster Phonics brings colour cues and sensory activities to work on letters and sounds. Adults read aloud each day, and children discuss books they enjoy. In June 2023, nursery children were developing vocabulary and awareness of sounds through play, rhymes and stories. The emphasis is on hearing and using language as well as encountering print.

Creative work has concrete tools. Nursery children use chunky crayons, chalk and thick brushes, explore printing with objects and vegetables, and shape modelling materials with cutters and rolling pins. These activities give small hands different ways to practise control and turn ideas into something visible. Early years children also sing every day and experiment with sound. Daily outdoor learning and movement opportunities sit alongside more formal physical education sessions, bringing physical development into the learning pattern.

The Foundation Stage team includes teachers, teaching assistants and a midday assistant. For additional needs, the school’s inclusion team combines a SENCo with an Inclusion and Intervention Project Lead. This gives families a route for discussing support alongside their child’s classroom learning.

Parents are involved when staff identify an additional need and help plan the response. SEND support follows Assess, Plan, Do, Review, with progress reviewed with parents at least termly. Class Dojo, email and telephone provide ways to contact the SENCo. Support can include adapted resources, small groups or individual work, so provision can respond to the child rather than rely on a single format.

Separate application. Attending Godley’s nursery does not guarantee admission to its Reception class. Families must apply again through the normal school admissions process via Tameside Council and meet the deadline for that application cycle. Nursery admission is handled directly by the school; the two routes are separate.

Transition support is a different matter from admission. Children visit their next classroom, staff pass information to the next teacher, and extra visits can be arranged where needed. For children with SEND, additional meetings can involve parents, staff and other professionals. These steps support familiarity and continuity.

The normal part-time pattern is five morning sessions or five afternoon sessions each week. Nursery application forms come from the school office, and applications go directly to the school. Free part-time nursery education begins from the term following a child’s third birthday.

General enquiries can be made on 0161 368 3162 or by emailing admin@godleyprimary.co.uk. Families can also contact the school to arrange a visit. School uniform uses grey, purple and white, and clothing should carry the child’s name, helping staff return items to their owner.