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Nursery at Sacred Heart Catholic 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play, stories and a gradual start shape nursery life at Sacred Heart. This is the school's own full-time nursery in Baguley, Manchester, accepting children during the academic year in which they turn four. For the year beginning September 2026, the nursery admission number is 26.
Catholic faith shapes the wider school day and curriculum. Families choosing this nursery are choosing that religious context alongside early learning. The nursery forms part of the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with learning planned around children's development and interests.
Children divide their time between activities they choose and learning guided by adults. The EYFS brings together early number and literacy work with movement, conversation, relationships, creativity and understanding the world. Here, fiction and non-fiction provide starting points for practical experiences, with skills planned term by term. Indoor and outdoor learning give children opportunities to try out and revisit what they learn.
The 2023-24 nursery newsletter gives a concrete picture of that approach: its classroom included construction, role-play and creative spaces, plus a sand tray. Books named in that year's planning included Jasper's Beanstalk and Pete the Cat. Suggested summer challenges linked learning to play, such as counting beans with Numicon, making a butterfly with matching sides, inventing a mud-kitchen recipe or matching bikes to numbered parking spaces. These were examples of how children could practise number, language and independent choices.
Early reading begins with sound and language. The English curriculum identifies Little Wandle as the phonics progression used from Nursery. In July 2023, Ofsted found that early-years children spoke confidently about learning, settled into routines quickly and enjoyed the texts around which their curriculum was organised. Those findings support a picture of children becoming comfortable with both talking about learning and the expectations of a school day.
Starting nursery is staged around the child. A member of the EYFS or SEND team makes a home visit, followed by sessions where parents and children try nursery together. Time in school increases according to individual needs, giving children a gradual introduction to the day.
The school has a SEND coordinator to organise additional support and advise staff. Its SEND information report records Dingley's Promise training across the EYFS team and Qualified Teacher Status for all teachers. Children on the SEND register have Learning Plans, with parents receiving copies and invitations to reviews twice a year. That gives families specific targets to discuss rather than relying only on informal updates. The school building has ramps throughout.
Care information starts with the admission form, which asks about medical conditions, referrals to other services and dietary requirements. Its meal choices include packed lunch and school meals. Parents can arrange conversations with teaching staff through the office, while emergency contact changes are made through the Sims Parent App.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority in the normal admission round. The 2027-28 admission arrangements give no Reception priority for attending nursery; their criteria instead cover matters including faith, looked-after status, siblings and distance. A Supplementary Information Form is requested for applications under the specified faith-related categories.
Familiarity with the next classroom is a separate matter. Transition includes meetings, time to meet the teacher and sessions in the new class. Children may also take home transition booklets to become familiar with their next teachers and learning spaces. These support preparation, without changing the admissions process.
The school opens classrooms at 8:30am, with registration by 8:45am. Early Years collection can begin at 3pm, allowing parents to collect older siblings afterwards. Nursery applications go directly to the school, and admissions enquiries can be emailed to admissions@sacredheart-baguley.manchester.sch.uk. The office takes admissions calls between 10am and 2pm. Prospective parents are invited to arrange a school visit.
For collection by car, use the parking area in front of the Vue social centre for drop-off and pick-up only. Parking is limited to 20 minutes, so families need to keep the stop brief.
Children are accepted during the academic year in which they reach their fourth birthday.
A home visit comes first, followed by parent-and-child taster sessions. Time in nursery increases according to the child's needs.
The EYFS combines language, physical and social development with early literacy, mathematics, creativity and learning about the world. Children take part in both adult-guided activities and play they choose themselves.
No. A separate application to the home local authority is required. Nursery attendance does not confer priority under the 2027-28 arrangements.
Email admissions@sacredheart-baguley.manchester.sch.uk or telephone 0161 998 3419. Admissions calls are taken between 10am and 2pm, and prospective parents are invited to visit.
