Chapel Street Community Primary School Nursery

Play has a clear rhythm at Chapel Street: time to explore, short teaching groups, then stories and songs. The nursery forms part of the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision in Levenshulme, Manchester. A class teacher and teaching assistants make up the nursery team, with morning, afternoon and full-time sessions giving families three attendance options.

Language runs through the activities. Adults join children's play and talk about what they are doing, while familiar rhymes and opportunities to make choices give children reasons to speak. The emphasis is on using communication during ordinary play, rather than reserving it for a separate lesson.

The morning starts with play alongside families before children gather on their base carpet for registration, calendar discussion and an introduction to the topic. Exploration inside and outside alternates with two short group sessions. These may centre on early writing, a story, number work or phonics. Outdoor games follow, and the session closes with singing, reflection and a story. The afternoon follows a similar pattern.

Within the EYFS, learning covers children's movement, relationships and communication alongside early reading, mathematics, creativity and understanding their surroundings. Development Matters informs the approach. Activities respond to children's interests, combining choices children make themselves with play guided by adults.

White Rose supplies the nursery's maths scheme. Counting sounds and objects, recognising dice patterns and talking about quantities turn early number work into practical activity. Construction, baking and playdough club introduce size, shape and measurement. Children have things to handle and discuss.

Reading begins with listening and participation. Silly soup, Georgie's gym and bears picnic sit alongside familiar stories, actions and games with sounds. Children distinguish pictures from words and notice print around them. Daily opportunities also include instruments, painting, imaginative play, sand or water, and movement such as climbing and balancing. The indoor and outdoor learning spaces both feature in the routine.

Snack with friends and time to relax are included among the daily opportunities. Families can take part in opening play activities, providing a shared start before the group gathers together.

Class Dojo carries activity plans, photographs, reminders and news for the early years. Plans also appear on the classroom wall or door, showing the activities and questions being explored. This gives parents something concrete to connect with conversations and play at home.

For concerns about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the first contact is the child's class teacher, who can arrange a referral to the SENCO. Parents can also request a SENCO appointment through the office. Across the school, teaching strategies include visual prompts and instructions broken into smaller steps; staff meet parents to discuss progress. Families seeking broader support can begin an Early Help conversation, with an assessment and coordinated family plan where appropriate and with their agreement.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing a nursery session and applying for Reception are separate decisions.

Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am; afternoon sessions are 12:15pm to 3:15pm. The full-time option runs from 8:30am to 3:15pm. Those different finishing times matter when planning collection and the rest of the family's day.

Contact the school office on 0161 224 1269 or email admin@chapelstreet.manchester.sch.uk for enquiries. School tours can be booked by telephone.