St Agnes C of E Primary School Nursery Review

Communication and sounds are the starting point in St Agnes’ Nursery class, with Friday PE adding a physical strand to the week. This is the school’s provision for three- and four-year-olds, within its Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The current part-time model has space for 30 children in each morning group and 30 in each afternoon group, introduced from September 2025.

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 18 and 19 October 2022. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision; it is not a separate nursery inspection outcome.

The EYFS is the early years stage of learning that includes Nursery here. Its communication work gives children a starting point for later reading: in October 2022, children began learning about sounds and communication in the Nursery class. Teachers checked children’s understanding regularly and used those checks to decide the next steps in learning. The emphasis was on responding to what children understood.

Friday is Nursery’s PE day. For parents, that is a useful weekly marker when organising clothing and belongings. The class page also provides a Spring 2 topic web and knowledge organiser, giving families a way to follow the class learning programme. Questions about learning can go to the class teacher through Class Dojo. Nursery access is through the EYFS gates within the large playground, a distinct entry point for the youngest children.

Starting Nursery is staggered across the first autumn half term in the school’s April 2024 prospectus. Rather than bringing every child into the class together, this spreads the introductions. The admissions arrangements also provide for a transition programme after a nursery offer has been accepted.

Parent communication uses Parent Mail alongside email and telephone calls; class teachers can be contacted through Class Dojo and respond within school hours. Families should keep contact details current so messages and urgent calls reach them.

For additional needs, the school’s SENDCo works with families, staff and external agencies, with an emphasis on identifying needs early. English as an additional language also receives tailored support. These are school-wide arrangements available to discuss when planning a child’s start. Medical conditions can be discussed with office staff so an individual Health Care Plan can be prepared.

A separate application is essential. Attending Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. The school’s admissions page explicitly includes existing nursery children in the local authority application process, so accepting a nursery place does not replace that later application.

Parents apply to their home local authority. Manchester manages the school’s Reception admissions, with online applications or a paper form on request. The school gives the deadline as the nominated date in December before the child’s Reception start year. A late application can reduce the chance of receiving a preferred school place. Keep this application separate from Nursery’s settling arrangements.

Morning and afternoon places are part-time. To join the nursery waiting list, contact the school office; offers are issued by letter in April and must be accepted by the deadline on that letter. Visits to the school can be arranged by appointment.

The uniform includes a green school-logo sweatshirt, a white shirt or polo, and black shoes or trainers. A plain green jumper is permitted initially if the logo version is unavailable. Nursery families are asked to label clothing. For enquiries, call 0161 224 6829 or email admin@st-agnes.manchester.sch.uk.