Lewis Street Primary School Nursery Review

Play and early reading sit alongside each other at Lewis Street: hands-on exploration shapes the early years approach, while nursery children begin phonics when they are settled and ready. That readiness matters. The introduction to reading follows the child’s adjustment to nursery, rather than a fixed starting point for everyone.

This is Lewis Street Primary School’s own nursery provision in Patricroft, with the school’s age range starting at three. Its Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach brings physical, emotional, social and thinking skills together. For parents, that means learning is about becoming more independent and learning alongside others as well as preparing to read and write.

Hands-on play is the starting point for the EYFS curriculum. Children are encouraged to explore, try ideas and ask questions, with kindness and respect among the aims of the approach. These experiences give children opportunities to make choices and express themselves as they learn.

Early reading has a named sequence. Nursery children begin with multisensory phonics, progressing to Read Write Inc when ready, usually in the spring term. They learn the relationship between spoken sounds and written letters. Handwriting also begins in nursery through the ISHA Achieving Excellence in Handwriting programme, giving early mark-making a place alongside sound work.

Outdoor provision is part of early years learning, supplemented by a structured PE lesson each week. Games and physical activities are used to develop movement skills, so physical development has both ongoing opportunities and a planned teaching slot.

At the July 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that early years children were happy and keen to learn, and that staff taught them to connect letters with sounds for reading. Those findings give a dated picture of children’s engagement and the teaching behind early reading.

Settling comes before the nursery’s introduction to phonics: children start once they are ready. Families are also treated as partners in the EYFS approach, with their contribution to early development recognised alongside staff teaching.

Support for additional needs begins early. In July 2024, systems for recognising children’s needs promptly extended into the early years. For a family concerned about development or access to learning, that makes early identification a relevant part of the provision. The SENDCo can be contacted through the school office.

Seesaw is used from nursery onwards for learning at home and in class. It gives families a practical connection to activities beyond the nursery session.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; applications for Lewis Street go through Salford City Council. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception are separate decisions, so parents should keep the council application process in their plans.

Enquiries go through the school office on 0161 921 1810 or by email to admin@lewisstreetprimary.uk. Nursery applications are made through Salford City Council. The office provides the direct contact route for discussing the provision, while the council handles the application.