Delamere School Nursery Review

Sprout planting, percussion and stacking activities give a concrete picture of early learning at Delamere: practical tasks that bring movement, communication and discovery together. The nursery belongs to Delamere School on Irlam Road in Flixton, a specialist school for children with learning difficulties and associated needs, including autism and sensory impairments. That specialist context matters when considering how your child will take part in the day.

Communication has several forms here. Across Delamere, a total communication approach combines signs, speech, electronic aids and symbols according to the child’s needs. Each class has a communication iPad with TD Snap, which supports access through switches, touch or eye gaze. Children can use words alongside symbols to express a preference, request something or comment. Participation need not depend on spoken language.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) examples make learning tangible. Planting sprouts involves handling living things; percussion gives children sounds to explore; stacking brings mathematical ideas into play. Physical learning is equally practical: an EYFS gymnastics example involves choosing how to cross a plank, with its dimensions influencing whether a child crawls, walks or runs.

Outside, the Early Years outdoor area sits alongside the school’s wider outdoor learning provision. A joint early-years and Key Stage 1 outdoor day included music, gardening and painting. Willow butterflies and a flower sculpture, together with bamboo colour lenses by the art area, give this shared learning space specific features. In July 2023, Ofsted described early-years learning in which songs, rhymes, stories and books were woven through the curriculum, giving literacy a place beyond a single reading activity.

Settling starts at home. Every child joining Delamere receives a compulsory home visit before attending. Entry transitions are personalised, with a visit to the child’s existing setting where appropriate, a starter pack and a parent visit to school. These steps give families opportunities to share their child’s needs before the move.

Parents have several ways to keep in touch, including phone, email, text, ParentMail and meetings. Delamere Let’s Get Started invites families new to the school to sessions covering communication, behaviour and sleep. A Family Liaison Officer works four days a week, and families can refer themselves for support.

Food anxiety also has a named support route within the school. Scrummy Crew uses small-group sessions to explore food through preparation, play and tasting, with activities tailored to individual needs. It is a targeted intervention for children with anxieties around food, rather than a description of everyone’s mealtime routine.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Delamere’s general specialist admissions policy places entry under local authority control, through an assessment placement or an Education, Health and Social Care Plan naming the school. Families should confirm their child’s next-step arrangements with the school and local authority.

Individual school tours can be arranged on a working day by calling 0161 747 5893. Before an admission decision, families and their child are invited to discuss individual needs with a senior team member. This makes the visit useful for explaining communication preferences and support needs.

The school office also takes enquiries at admin@delamere.trafford.sch.uk. Delamere is on Irlam Road, Flixton, M41 6AP.