Oasis Academy Harpur Mount Nursery

Conversation, stories and three daily group times give this nursery its shape. Oasis Academy Harpur Mount’s nursery caters for children aged 3 to 4 in Harpurhey, Manchester. It forms part of the academy on Alfred Street, with learning planned around the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and children’s interests.

Social development and communication receive particular attention. The nursery aims to help children become independent, develop confidence in their identity and learn to respect other people. For parents, that places learning to talk, make friends and manage feelings alongside early literacy and number work.

Three group times each day focus on phonics, mathematics and literacy. Alongside these, children tackle focused activities during the week, practising skills within half-term topics, special events and celebrations. There is a recurring teaching structure, with children’s interests also shaping the learning.

The EYFS connects physical development and emotional growth with language, number, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. Here, conversation and role play give children opportunities to explain their ideas. Adults extend what children say with additional vocabulary, helping them build the language to describe experiences and ask questions.

Learning takes place indoors and outside. Puzzles, small-world play, craft activities and small tools feature in the curriculum’s approach to developing hand control; movement games support balance and coordination. The mathematics curriculum describes handling and organising counting materials, giving pebbles and tens frames as examples rather than specifying the nursery’s equipment.

In March 2024, Ofsted found that nursery children took part in stories, rhymes and songs, generally building a useful foundation for their next stage. That finding concerns nursery learning, rather than a separate nursery inspection grade.

Understanding feelings, cooperating with other children and becoming more independent with personal care are part of the nursery curriculum. Adult guidance helps children practise resolving disagreements and looking after themselves. These are learning goals as well as care needs.

Parents receive information about classroom learning and topics through Showbie. This gives families a connection between nursery activities and conversations at home. Across the academy, children are introduced to their class and shown around before a September start, giving them some familiarity before they begin.

The school describes its approach as inclusive. Families can contact the SEND coordinator through the academy’s telephone number. Its wider wellbeing provision includes the Positive Mind Room, Rainbow Room and Moonlight Room, physical spaces designed to support children’s emotional needs.

Academy meals are prepared in its own kitchen, with a choice of dishes. The school operates a healthy-eating approach and prohibits sweets. These are academy-wide arrangements, rather than a promise of free nursery lunches.

A separate application matters. Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through Manchester City Council’s normal admissions process, using the Common Application Form for a September place. Nursery applications go directly to the academy, so the two routes need separate attention.

Nursery uniform requires a branded academy jumper, a white polo shirt and black trousers or a skirt; a cardigan is optional. Ziggy’s in Harpurhey Shopping Centre supplies branded clothing, while other uniform items can also come from local supermarkets.

For nursery applications or a visit, contact the office on 0161 205 4993 or email info@oasisharpurmount.org. Visits can be arranged by request, allowing families to meet the academy before deciding.