Bosley St Mary's CofE Primary School Nursery Review

A purpose-built base beside the main school, an outdoor area of its own and access to a Forest School site give Bosley Pre-School a distinct setting for its youngest learners. The provision serves children aged 3 and 4 at Bosley St Mary's CofE Primary School in Bosley, Macclesfield. Its place within the school is practical as well as physical: children staying for lunch eat in the school hall.

For 2026–2027, pre-school children belong to Blossom Class, a group that also includes Reception children. They share a building next to the main school rather than being absorbed into an older primary class. Education is led by an EYFS-qualified teacher with a teaching assistant working full time.

Play provides the starting point. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach combines play and exploration with adult teaching during each day. The early-years team aims to plan activities around children's interests. For parents, that means early learning involves conversation, movement and playing with other children alongside work on language, numbers and emotional development. Open-ended tasks give children room to try ideas rather than simply complete a fixed exercise.

Music and languages sit alongside early mathematical and language skills in the pre-school programme. Blossom Class has both PE and Forest School on Wednesdays, while the outdoor learning area is used in everyday planning. Outdoor learning therefore has a place beyond the scheduled Forest School session. The separate building and dedicated outdoor space give this mixed early-years group its own base for these activities.

In March 2023, Ofsted found that early-years children explored familiar stories through role play and that even the youngest had opportunities to learn another language. These are concrete examples of learning through participation: children act out stories as well as hearing them, and encounter language beyond their usual vocabulary.

Home and school exchange information in several ways. Blossom Class uses Tapestry to record learning, and parents can add experiences from home. Each child also has a contact book for messages. Together, these give families ways to contribute to the picture of their child, rather than only receive updates. The class teacher is usually available for a brief conversation after school; longer appointments are arranged through the office.

Lunch offers a choice between food brought from home and a charged school meal. Children eat in the school hall, making that shared space part of their routine before starting Reception. The early-years team also checks children's wellbeing and involvement when planning learning, with attention to belonging, resilience and coping skills.

For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), families can contact the school's coordinator through the office. Cheshire East Information and Advice Service offers confidential information and support for children and young people with SEND and their families, providing another route for help with decisions about provision.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process. Applications go through Cheshire East, or through the family's own local authority if they live outside Cheshire East.

Familiarity with school life is a separate matter. Sharing Blossom Class with Reception children and eating in the school hall give pre-school children contact with people and spaces within the school. Those everyday connections can help make the next stage familiar, but they do not secure admission.

Both 15-hour and 30-hour funded places are offered for children aged 3 and 4, alongside additional paid sessions. Top-ups include three-hour sessions and a full-day option. Ask the school for current charges.

To enquire or arrange a pre-school visit, telephone 01260 223280 or email head@bosleyschool.co.uk. The school site is wheelchair accessible, and assistance can be requested through the office or the pedestrian-gate intercom. This gives families a direct route to arrange a visit and discuss access needs.