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Nursery at Oasis Academy Aspinal
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Cooperative play and a large outdoor learning area give Aspinal’s nursery its character: children practise sharing, taking turns and working together. There are 26 full-time places, and children join from age 3. This is the nursery within Oasis Academy Aspinal on Broadacre Road in Gorton, Manchester.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 19 and 20 July 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Choice is part of the nursery experience. Children select activities and play cooperatively, giving them opportunities to practise the social skills needed for learning alongside others. Staff get to know children individually and adapt learning to the skills they need to develop.
The Early Years Foundation Stage includes exploratory learning through play here. On the first day, children have time to investigate the classroom and, when weather allows, the outdoor learning spaces. A large outdoor area contains learning stations, extending exploration beyond the classroom. The emphasis is on becoming familiar with the surroundings and beginning friendships as well as starting to learn.
Early reading begins in Nursery. In July 2022, children started learning sounds when they joined the class, and staff had training in the phonics programme. Children in early years generally approached learning positively; adults brought their attention back when it wandered. However, some younger pupils’ reading books were insufficiently aligned with their sound knowledge, affecting reading accuracy and fluency. Across the school, checks on understanding also sometimes missed misconceptions. These are useful points for parents to discuss as reading develops.
Preparation for a September start includes a summer-term meeting with the Early Years Lead and Safeguarding Lead. This meeting must take place before a child can start; a home visit may also be arranged. It gives families a chance to introduce their child and discuss the move into nursery.
For children entering early years after September, settling can be gradual. Those new to school or the country begin with shorter mornings, then stay through lunch later in the initial week. The timetable can be shortened or extended according to the child’s response. This makes the pace of entry responsive to the child rather than fixed regardless of how they settle.
Nursery children receive milk daily, while early years children have a free morning snack of fruit or vegetables. School lunches are prepared on site, with a choice of meals; a packed lunch is another option. Chocolate, sweets and crisps are excluded from packed lunches.
In July 2022, trained staff identified additional needs in early years and supported children with SEND to participate in the curriculum. Ramp access serves the nursery classroom. Parents can discuss concerns with the class teacher, then arrange a meeting with the SENCo if concerns continue. Early years stay, play and learn sessions also give families opportunities to take part in learning.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. For 2026-2027 entry, it confers no admissions priority. Families must make a separate Reception application through Manchester’s coordinated process, using its Common Application Form, by the normal deadline. Families living outside Manchester use their home local authority’s form.
Transition support is a separate matter. For children with SEND moving between classes, teachers exchange information at a transition meeting. Where appropriate, children can visit their next classroom and meet staff, and a transition photo book can help make the change more familiar. These arrangements support preparation; they do not change admissions entitlement.
Nursery applications go directly to the academy. Contact admin@oasisaspinal.org or telephone 0161 223 0053 for nursery enquiries. The provision is full-time, with morning registration at 8.45am, including Nursery.
For September Nursery starters, follow the first-day information given at the admissions meeting. Keep the office informed before 1pm if someone other than a parent will collect your child. Aspinal’s breakfast and after-school club serves Reception to Year 6, so families should plan nursery care around that age restriction.
Children join at age 3. Aspinal has 26 full-time nursery places.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place or confer priority for 2026-2027 entry. A separate Reception application is required through the local authority process.
September starters have an admissions meeting beforehand, and a home visit may take place. Children joining early years after September may follow a gradual timetable adjusted to their response.
Nursery children receive daily milk and a free morning fruit or vegetable snack. Lunch can be an on-site school meal or a packed lunch, which must exclude crisps, chocolate and sweets.
The club serves children from Reception to Year 6. Nursery children fall outside that stated age range.
