Clarendon Road Community Primary School Nursery

Outdoor learning runs through both halves of the nursery day at Clarendon Road, with play taking the lead and short teaching sessions adding structure. This is the school's own nursery in Eccles, with 26 full-time places. The nursery class is Cherry, and its team includes a teacher and Nursery Assistants of Learning.

The provision sits within the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). For families, its defining arrangement is the balance between activities children choose themselves and work guided by adults. Children can reach learning resources independently, giving them opportunities to make decisions about their play.

Play carries much of the learning. Short daily sessions led by a teacher include maths and phonics, while independent activities are matched to children's next steps. Adults observe children to understand their development and plan what follows. The school aims to build independence through practical experiences, with children encouraged to explore ideas of their own.

The curriculum follows the National Early Years Framework 2021. Its seven learning areas bring together early reading and writing, number work, creativity and understanding the world, alongside movement, language and social development. In parent terms, learning to express an idea, manage feelings or coordinate movements belongs alongside learning about letters and numbers. Texts provide a focus for developing vocabulary and communication.

Indoors and outside are connected parts of the learning environment. Nursery children use the Outdoor Area during continuous provision in both the morning and afternoon; the EYFS approach also allows outdoor access throughout the day in different weather. Resources are arranged for children to find and use themselves. Creative learning includes role-play, dance, music and art, giving children several ways to communicate what they think and feel.

Parents of nursery starters are invited to induction meetings covering the details of beginning school. Once children are attending, Tapestry provides a secure online learning record for each family. Staff use it to share experiences, friendships and learning, giving parents specific starting points for conversations about their child's day.

Support for additional needs draws on the school's wider inclusion arrangements. Parents can discuss concerns with the class teacher, and appointments with the SEND team can be arranged through the office. Speech and language therapy and educational psychology are among the specialist services the school uses. Individual Education Plans may set targets and review points, with parents involved in supporting those targets at home. The school's communication arrangements include termly progress reports and SEND drop-ins every half term. Parents can also raise a concern with the class teacher at the end of each day, providing a route for discussing difficulties between scheduled meetings.

Care facilities include a changing station within EYFS. Where a child has medical needs, a care plan is prepared with parents and information from medical professionals. That connects daily support to the child's individual requirements.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Salford's local authority admissions service manages both nursery and Reception entry, using an online application system. When applications exceed the places available, admission criteria determine allocation.

Transition activities are separate from that application. Children take part in moving-up sessions with their new class teacher. Those with additional needs can have extra classroom visits, and some receive a booklet identifying key staff to revisit over the holidays. These arrangements help make the next classroom more familiar; they do not secure admission.

The nursery timetable starts at 8:30am. Morning learning ends at 11:30am, followed by lunch until 12:30pm; the afternoon finishes at 3:05pm. The nursery has 26 full-time places. Contact the school to confirm attendance patterns and booking arrangements.

For nursery enquiries, contact the administration team on 0161 921 1170 or email clarendonroad.primaryschool@salford.gov.uk. The school is on Clarendon Road in Eccles, M30 9BJ. Families needing assistance with ramp access can telephone ahead for staff support.