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Nursery at Lily Lane Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Story Time Maths, daily Little Wandle phonics and conversations with adults give Lily Lane’s nursery a clear emphasis on words and numbers. The provision has 52 places for children aged three to four and forms part of the school’s early years phase in Moston, Manchester. Its classrooms are bright, open spaces. Play and focused teaching both have a place here.
There is an important caution alongside that curriculum detail. In February 2026, Ofsted judged the early years provision as needs attention. Positive changes had yet to demonstrate a sustained effect on outcomes. For families, the distinction matters: reassuring relationships and thoughtful activities need to translate into secure foundations for later learning.
Children combine play they direct themselves with activities guided by adults and focused teaching time. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning to everyday development: talking and listening, movement, relationships, early reading and writing, mathematics, understanding the world and creative expression. Development Matters helps staff plan learning and assess progress through observation and conversation, so teaching can respond to what a child is beginning to understand.
Stories, mark-making and imaginative role play sit alongside art and music. Communication has a strong emphasis. In February 2026, adults supported vocabulary development through clear language modelling and purposeful conversations, while activities encouraged children to explore and cooperate. That makes talk part of learning, rather than simply a separate exercise.
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides daily phonics from Nursery. Mathematics has its own distinctive approach: Story Time Maths, developed with SHINE grant funding, uses books as a starting point. Children practise recognising and ordering numbers up to five, identifying small quantities at a glance and recognising simple two-dimensional shapes. Short sessions with adults, games and group activities accompany opportunities to explore mathematical ideas through play.
Think Equal supports the social and emotional side of early years learning. Physical development includes activities for smaller hand movements and larger body movements, giving children opportunities to practise coordination alongside language and number work.
Relationships were a strength in February 2026: children became comfortable quickly and felt secure with staff. Adults understood their starting points and adjusted learning for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), as well as those learning English as an additional language. Those adaptations helped children participate. Staff also worked with families on learning at home.
In February 2026, Ofsted found that early years children were not well prepared for the next stage of learning. The February 2026 improvement actions included tackling gaps in basic knowledge for children in early years. Warm relationships are a useful beginning; families should also weigh the needs attention judgement when choosing the provision.
For additional help, parents can contact the school’s SENCO or speak with class teachers. The Family Support Team offers meetings before or after school and appointments during the day, with help including housing advice, health guidance and food bank referrals. School dinners follow a menu that rotates over three weeks; families arrange them through the office.
A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Lily Lane’s Reception. Families must make a separate application online through Manchester City Council. The deadline is usually in the January after the child starts Nursery, so nursery attendance should not replace planning for that application.
After a Reception place has been allocated, the school arranges a visit for the child and parent to meet staff and other children. This supports familiarity with the next stage; it is separate from the allocation of a place.
The school office handles nursery registration and general enquiries. Contact it on 0161 205 3397 or email admin@lilylane.manchester.sch.uk. Nursery children do not need a PE kit, which removes one item from preparations for starting.
The nursery caters for children aged three to four and has 52 places.
Story Time Maths uses books alongside activities and games. Nursery learning includes numbers up to five and basic two-dimensional shapes.
In February 2026, children settled quickly through trusting relationships with staff and felt safe.
No. A separate online application to Manchester City Council is required, with the deadline usually in the January after the child starts Nursery.
No. Nursery children do not need a PE kit.
