Higher Openshaw Community School Nursery Review

Growing food in the EYFS Garden and recording art in a shared sketchbook give this nursery a practical, collaborative character. It is the school's Foundation 1 class, with 30 full-time places, within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The admission page gives two starting-age rules: September after turning three, and acceptance from three and a half. Confirm your child's starting date with the school; the page also requires toilet training.

Play shapes the learning. Classroom activities remain available through continuous provision, giving children opportunities to explore, develop their language and practise independence. The EYFS framework brings together movement, communication and emotional development with early reading, writing, mathematics, creative work and understanding the world. For parents, that means learning extends beyond letters and numbers to relationships and managing feelings.

Outdoor learning takes a substantial share of children's time. The EYFS Garden provides opportunities to grow food and explore seasonal changes and weather. Forest School adds learning with natural materials; the school provides waterproof clothing and wellington boots to borrow. These are practical resources for activities that can involve getting wet or muddy.

Creative work has a collective element: nursery children contribute to a single sketchbook, recording their artwork together. The nursery enrichment programme names Animal Intuition, a dental nurse visit, and trips to a farm and the seaside. These experiences give children concrete things to discuss alongside classroom learning.

In June 2023, early years children explored life cycles through seed planting and looking after eggs that hatched into ducklings. Stories, singing and rhymes also featured in early years learning. Across the school, the same inspection identified a concern in some subjects: checks on remembered knowledge were insufficient before teaching moved forward. That finding applies to the school generally, rather than establishing a nursery-specific weakness.

The nursery team comprises a teacher and two teaching assistants. Tapestry records children's learning and development, with journals shared with parents and accessible by phone. That gives families a way to follow progress and talk about learning at home.

Support for additional needs includes The Beehive. In June 2023, a very small group of early years children received specialist help there, with effective support towards participating in lessons with their peers. Children also learned how feelings relate to behaviour, beginning in early years.

Lunch forms part of the proposed full-time nursery offer, subject to government funding. Foundation Stage lunchtime runs from noon to 1pm. The school's family support worker provides advice on children's education, behaviour and wellbeing, alongside practical help with issues such as housing and parenting.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Manchester City Council's normal admissions process and meet its deadline. The council's Admissions Department is the route given for Reception applications, with a contact number of 0161 245 7166. Treat that application as a separate decision from choosing the nursery.

Full-time places are the nursery's booking model. The intended offer is 30 hours each week, including lunch, conditional on government funding. Parents must register with Childcare Choices as a condition of accepting a place; eligible families must use their vouchers in this nursery. Check current charges with the school.

For nursery registration, return the application form to school or go to the main office. General enquiries can go to admin@higher-openshaw.manchester.sch.uk or 0161 223 3549.

Collection arrangements. Anyone collecting a pupil must be at least 16. Families therefore need to plan an eligible collector. For outdoor sessions, children need clothing and footwear suitable for the weather and getting dirty.