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Nursery at St Gilbert's Roman Catholic Primary School, Eccles
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Listening comes before reading at St Gilbert's: nursery children explore the sounds around them, while learning how to listen to one another and take turns. These are concrete foundations for both learning and sharing a classroom.
The nursery forms part of the Catholic primary school in Winton. Its 2027/28 admission arrangements give the nursery an admission number of 26, with applications handled separately from school admissions. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good following its visit on 25 and 26 March 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school.
Early reading begins with attention to sound. In March 2025, nursery teaching helped children recognise sounds in their surroundings, preparing them to understand how sounds relate to letters. The starting point is listening rather than reading words. For parents, this gives a clear picture of what preparation for reading means at this stage: children first develop the awareness that later letter learning builds on.
The early years foundation stage also includes learning to manage relationships. Children practise waiting for a turn and paying attention when someone else speaks. These expectations make participation in a group part of the learning itself. Listening has a social purpose as well as a reading purpose.
Diwali provides a named example of learning about other people's faiths and traditions in early years. Within this Catholic school, children therefore encounter celebrations beyond their own background. The curriculum connects learning about the world with respect for other people, giving families a specific example of how that begins with the youngest children.
Support for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) begins in early years. In March 2025, staff identified needs at this stage and had training to help children learn alongside their classmates. For a family whose child needs additional help, early identification matters because support starts during these first school experiences.
Turn-taking and listening also belong to this picture of care. Children are taught how to share attention with others, making social expectations an explicit part of their early learning.
A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place. Under the 2027/28 admission arrangements, nursery attendance gives no priority: places are decided using the admission criteria. Families must make a separate Reception application through Salford Council, using its online route or a Local Authority Preference Form, by the closing date set by the council.
If parents want their application assessed under the religious criteria, they must also submit the school's Supplementary Form. This is an additional requirement for that consideration. Choosing the nursery and applying for Reception remain two separate decisions, so families should keep the school application process on their calendar even after accepting a nursery place.
For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 01615679012. Nursery applications follow their own admissions policy, separate from the statutory school process. The school's term calendar for 2026/27 is labelled draft; use that qualification when planning family arrangements around it.
No. The 2027/28 arrangements separate nursery and Reception admissions, and nursery attendance gives no priority under the listed criteria.
Apply through Salford Council online or complete a Local Authority Preference Form by the council's closing date. A Supplementary Form is also required if seeking consideration under the religious criteria.
The 2027/28 admission policy gives the nursery an admission number of 26.
Nursery children learn to recognise sounds around them, preparing for the relationship between letters and sounds.
The March 2025 inspection described identification of SEND beginning in early years, with trained staff supporting children to learn alongside their peers.
