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Nursery at Brookburn Community 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A mainly full-time nursery with two fixed part-time patterns gives Brookburn a clear shape: this is a school-year commitment, with places allocated for the complete academic year. Its nursery has 39 full-time equivalent places within Brookburn Community School in Chorlton. Children start in September following their third birthday, joining the cohort that turns four during that academic year.
Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 28 and 29 February 2024. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Creative exploration and investigation are central to what Brookburn aims to encourage in its youngest children. The nursery's Foundation Stage curriculum brings together communication, mathematics and emotional and social development. For parents, the emphasis is on children developing how they express themselves and relate to others alongside their early mathematical learning.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for learning and care from birth to five. Its learning areas extend beyond numbers and language to movement, literacy, exploring the world and artistic expression. Brookburn describes its nursery curriculum as supporting development across different areas, with enjoyment and challenge both part of its aims.
Familiar routines give the day structure. In February 2024, children in early years learned established routines that helped them adjust promptly to the school day. That is a useful practical strength for children beginning school life: knowing what happens next supports settling.
Before their September start, nursery children can meet the nursery team. Induction can also be agreed individually with parents when a child's needs warrant it, allowing the start to be shaped around that child.
For additional needs, the class teacher works with the SENDCO to plan and adapt support. Parents can raise concerns with either through an appointment arranged by the office. Children on the SEND register have an Individual Learning Plan, with targets discussed with parents each term and an electronic copy accessible to them. This gives families specific goals to discuss, rather than only a general progress update.
Medical needs can be supported through a care plan developed with parents and the school nurse. Across the school site, wheelchair access, toilets with room for changing and a lift to the second floor provide practical accessibility features.
Lunch needs special planning for part-time families: children taking either part-time pattern do not receive lunch on Wednesdays.
A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place at Brookburn. Parents must make a separate application through their home local authority, using the normal Reception application process and meeting its deadline. Manchester residents apply through Manchester Local Authority.
For the 2023/24 admissions cycle, nursery attendance carried no priority in the Reception oversubscription criteria. Those criteria covered children in or previously in care, exceptional circumstances, siblings and distance. Families should therefore treat choosing the nursery and securing a Reception place as two separate decisions.
Most nursery places are full-time; a limited number of part-time places can be requested. One pattern combines Monday and Tuesday with Wednesday morning, 9am to noon. The other combines Wednesday afternoon, 1.15pm to 3.25pm, with Thursday and Friday. Part-time allocations depend on matching families' requests for opposite ends of the week.
Attendance commitment. Accepting a full-time place brings an expectation of full-time attendance. A continuing pattern of absence can lead to withdrawal of the place, so the booking should match the attendance a family intends to use. Leaving any nursery place requires a full term's notice.
The nursery's 2023 arrangements provide the first 15 weekly hours free for all children. Eligibility for up to 30 funded hours does not cover the full 32.5-hour nursery week: the additional 2.5 hours attract a charge. Eligible families must supply a code and their National Insurance number, then recheck eligibility every three months. Ask the school for current charges.
Nursery enquiries and application forms go through the school office. Applications are due by the end of February, with families informed of the outcome by the end of March.
Children enter in September after their third birthday and turn four during that academic year.
A limited number of part-time places can be requested. The patterns are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday. Requests must be matched across the two patterns.
No. Parents must apply separately through their home local authority. Nursery attendance carried no oversubscription priority in the 2023/24 arrangements.
Children can meet the nursery team before September. Where appropriate for a child's needs, induction arrangements can be negotiated with parents.
The nursery's 2023 arrangements provide the first 15 hours each week free for all children. Eligibility may cover up to 30 hours, with a code required and eligibility checks every three months. The full nursery week totals 32.5 hours, so the additional 2.5 hours attract a charge even when 30 hours are funded. Contact the school for current charges.
