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Nursery at Ringway 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A six-week Forest School programme gives Ringway’s nursery a distinctive outdoor thread alongside learning through play. Children follow their interests, build independence and explore ideas with the Early Years team. This is the nursery provision within Ringway Primary School in Wythenshawe, with a separate Pre-Nursery morning offer for eligible 2-3 year olds.
The practical distinction matters: Nursery runs for a full school day, while Pre-Nursery occupies the morning. Families choosing between them are choosing different lengths of day as well as different stages of provision.
Play, conversation and children’s interests shape the learning. Nursery Rhymes, New Life and Exploring the Rainbow are named topics, giving children familiar starting points for discovery. The early years foundation stage (EYFS) learning here includes developing communication, exploring the world and beginning to understand numbers and shapes.
For early reading, Nursery starts with Phase 1 phonics within the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Programme. Children practise listening and speaking, notice surrounding sounds and begin working towards combining and separating sounds orally. The emphasis is on hearing language before tackling written words. Maths uses White Rose Maths, with Development Matters helping teachers match learning to children’s developmental stage; early work includes spatial reasoning, number understanding and mathematical language.
Outdoors, Nursery children take part in a six-week Forest School programme. Sessions follow their interests, with possible activities including wildlife investigation, making shelters, woodland crafts and knot work. The site can become muddy, and trees provide shade even in warmer weather. This is practical exploration with clothing to match, rather than an occasional fair-weather outing.
In January 2023, Ofsted identified an early-years emphasis on children’s language development and their grasp of shape and number. These are useful foundations for expressing ideas and understanding the world around them.
Settling begins with a welcome meeting after acceptance, followed by a home-school transition visit organised by the nursery team. Parents bring their child’s birth certificate and complete registration paperwork at the meeting. Ringway aims for children to be attending Nursery full time by the end of September, so the start involves a planned introduction to the team and routines.
At the January 2023 inspection, children in early years settled readily into routines and felt safe, knowing adults would help with worries. Parents can follow nursery classroom experiences through Classdojo, providing a connection between home and the activities children encounter.
For additional needs, the school’s SEND coordinators offer appointments to discuss concerns and provision. A linked speech and language therapist supports language development across the school. Parents can raise concerns with the class teacher first, giving families a clear starting point for discussing support.
Attending Ringway’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate online application to Manchester local authority by its nominated date in the year before their child starts Reception. Treat that application as a separate task: nursery registration does not complete it.
Nursery hours are 08:55 to 15:10, Monday to Friday. Pre-Nursery runs from 08:45 to 11:45 on the same weekdays for eligible 2-3 year olds. Nursery applications go to the school office; Pre-Nursery uses an Expression of Interest form returned there.
Eligible two-year-olds whose families receive additional government support can access 15 hours of early learning. Parents entitled to 30 hours must complete a funding form each term and send their code to the office.
Forest School takes place throughout the year, including in rain. Children need covered legs, waterproof clothing and wellies or walking boots. Spare wellies and waterproofs are held at school, helping children take part when the ground is wet.
Nursery runs Monday to Friday, 08:55 to 15:10. Eligible 2-3 year olds can attend Pre-Nursery from 08:45 to 11:45 on those weekdays.
No. A separate online application must be made to Manchester local authority by its nominated date in the year before Reception starts.
After acceptance, families attend a welcome meeting and the nursery team organises a home-school transition visit. Ringway aims for full-time Nursery attendance by the end of September.
They participate in a six-week Forest School programme. Child-led sessions may include woodland crafts, wildlife investigation, shelter building and knot work.
Raise concerns with the class teacher first. The school can arrange an appointment with a SEND coordinator to discuss the child’s needs and provision.
