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Nursery at Moston Lane Community 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Sunbeams and Rainbows bring a practical, talk-filled start to school life: children make music, strengthen their fingers for writing and learn through play. These are Moston Lane Community Primary School’s nursery teams in Moston, Manchester, within its Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 28 and 29 September 2022. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Play shares the day with focused teaching. Children choose activities from accessible resources, while adults extend their ideas through questions and new vocabulary. Nursery group work can include circle time, key worker groups and maths activities. The EYFS combines early literacy and number with understanding the world and creative work; in nursery, the strongest emphasis is on talking, physical skills and social and emotional development. Those foundations give children ways to communicate, participate and become more independent.
Mastering Number sessions take place daily, helping children connect counting with quantities and recognise small amounts at sight. Sand and water trays bring maths into play, while outdoor bike races create opportunities to explore time. Role play areas give children reasons to talk together and try new words. Learning has a practical purpose.
Outside, daily play includes a climbing frame, scooters and bikes. Nursery PE begins in the summer term, with children practising removing their shoes and socks. Indoors, the finger gym uses activities such as threading and tweezers; dough disco also exercises hands in preparation for writing. Outdoor easels and marks made with water or sticks extend writing beyond a table.
Creative work includes weekly music lessons and an art area children can explore each day. Nursery projects have included making instruments and modelling clay hedgehogs. In September 2022, stories, rhymes and early work on letter sounds were established features of nursery learning. Across the wider school curriculum, some subject sequences still needed completing and reading books did not consistently fit children’s known sounds. These were school-level improvement actions, rather than findings confined to nursery.
A nurture approach gives emotions a place in the day. Visual timetables help children anticipate changes, and each year group has a calm corner for managing feelings. Early years activities include breathing exercises, yoga and mindfulness colouring. These provide concrete ways to pause when a child feels overwhelmed.
Communication needs receive attention from the start. WELLCOMM screening checks nursery children’s speaking and listening, with results shared with parents and assessments repeated during the year. The WELLCOMM big book of ideas supports nursery interventions; referrals can also be made to NHS speech and language services. In September 2022, children with possible SEND were identified promptly, with external agencies involved to arrange support.
Meals come through Taylor Shaw, with nursery children receiving the main or vegetarian option. Medical diets can be requested for allergies, intolerances or relevant medical conditions. Water and milk are the permitted drinks, and fruit is the permitted snack. Termly Stay and Learn sessions across all year groups let parents join classroom activities, giving families a direct connection with their child’s learning.
A separate application matters. A nursery place does not guarantee entry to Moston Lane’s Reception. Families must apply online through Manchester City Council by its deadline; the school describes this as usually falling in January after nursery starts. Treat that as a reminder to follow the council’s application timetable.
Once a Reception place has been allocated, the school arranges transition sessions for children and parents to visit and meet staff and other children. That preparation supports the change of classroom. It is separate from the decision about allocating a place.
Nursery registration uses an application form, collected from the office or completed through the admissions page. Offers are communicated during the summer term before a child’s intended start. Allocation does not depend on who applies first.
For enquiries, contact the office on 0161 205 3864 or admin@mostonlane.manchester.sch.uk. School visits can be arranged by telephone, giving families an opportunity to see the setting before making their choice.
The EYFS combines play and focused group teaching. Nursery places particular emphasis on communication, physical development and social and emotional skills.
Yes. Early years children play outside daily, using equipment including a climbing frame, bikes and scooters.
Nursery children receive WELLCOMM screening. Results are shared with parents, and support can include nursery interventions and referrals to outside agencies.
Nursery children receive the main or vegetarian meal from Taylor Shaw. A medical diet can be requested where an allergy, intolerance or medical condition requires an adapted menu.
No. Families need a separate online application through Manchester City Council by the council’s deadline. Transition sessions follow allocation of a Reception place.
