Barton Moss Community Primary School Nursery

Dough disco and squiggles give Barton Moss nursery a concrete starting point: movement and early marks come before fluent writing. This is the nursery within Barton Moss Community Primary School, whose provision starts at age three, in Peel Green. The emphasis is on the beginnings of communication and learning alongside other children.

In February 2025, children across the early years benefited from carefully organised language activities and purposeful routines. They were learning to work together, too. Those findings concern the school's early years provision and give parents a useful picture of its learning priorities.

Early writing begins with physical development. Nursery teachers use dough disco alongside squiggles sessions to develop movement and the first marks that lead towards shapes, numbers and letters. The practical implication is straightforward: preparation for writing includes developing physical skills, rather than starting solely with written work.

Language has a clear place in the early years. In February 2025, opportunities to develop speaking and communication were carefully planned, while enjoyment of songs, rhymes and stories began in this phase. Together, these activities give children ways to participate through listening and speaking as their language develops.

The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, covers seven areas of learning and development. Barton Moss supports parents in understanding this framework through What to Expect, When?, a resource about development during children's first five years. For families, that connects the nursery's learning with the changes they see at home. Organised routines and learning to cooperate also form part of the early years experience, bringing social learning into the day alongside communication.

Starting nursery is treated as a partnership with families. Barton Moss aims to help children settle and encourages parents to approach the early years team for help with preparation. Its transition support includes a school-readiness poster and a nursery welcome letter, giving families practical starting points before their child begins.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school's support structure includes the class teacher and SEND coordinator. Parents participate in reviewing support, with meetings at least termly. Pupil Support Plans record individual targets, teaching strategies and provision, so discussions can focus on what a child needs and how their support is working.

Physical access is another concrete consideration. The school is accessible to children using wheelchairs and has an accessible toilet. A qualified paediatric first aider is also part of its first-aid provision. These are school-wide arrangements relevant to families considering the nursery.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, using Salford City Council's online application route. School places are allocated under the associated local authority's admission arrangements and oversubscription criteria. Choosing nursery and securing Reception are separate decisions.

The school is on Trippier Road, Peel Green, Eccles, M30 7PT. Enquiries can be made by telephone on 0161 921 1840 or by email to bartonmoss@prestoleetrust.org. New parents can arrange an appointment to see the school, providing a direct opportunity to discuss their child's start with the team.