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Nursery at St Malachy's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Three keyworker groups give this full-time nursery its organising structure, with three full-time staff members and space for up to 30 children. It forms part of St Malachy's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy, in Collyhurst, Manchester, where the school's age range begins at three.
Catholic faith shapes the early-years curriculum. For families, that means religion forms part of the learning approach rather than sitting apart from the nursery's educational programme.
The day runs from 8.45am to 3pm, with lunch between 11.30am and 12.30pm. This gives children a full school-day pattern, with a substantial break for lunch between the morning and afternoon.
Learning combines activities directed by adults with play that children choose themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings seven connected areas of development together; adults join children's learning to help them explore ideas and take their thinking further. The practical distinction for parents is that the day includes both children's own choices and planned teaching.
Early reading has a named approach: Read, Write, Inc. Nursery children take part in daily group phonics, giving work on sounds a regular place in the day. The wider early-years approach also values learning at home. Families are encouraged to share picture books, sing nursery rhymes and talk during play, linking everyday conversation with children's developing confidence in speaking.
Each child has a key person, providing an individual point of continuity within the group structure. Home visits and sessions where parents stay and play give families opportunities to build contact with staff. These sit alongside everyday conversations, so the relationship extends beyond formal appointments.
Reading diaries and home-learning links connect home and nursery, while meetings and feedback each term provide more structured opportunities to discuss development. Families can also take part in workshops. Together, these offer several ways to remain involved in a child's learning.
For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school aims to identify needs early and work with parents on suitable support. More frequent contact is arranged according to the individual child's needs, and SEND coordinators can direct families towards the Manchester Local Offer for advice.
Meals are prepared at school, with Trafford Council providing them through My Evolve Hub. Parents obtain registration details from the office to order meals and view menus. Packed lunches are another option. Nursery grapes must be chopped, popcorn is excluded for nursery children, and nuts or nut products are prohibited because of allergies. These are useful rules to build into lunch preparation from the start.
A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Reception. Families must make a separate Reception application through Manchester's application route; choosing this nursery should therefore be treated as a decision about the early-years experience, with the later school-place application handled separately.
The governing body is the school's admission authority and makes the final admission decisions. Nursery admission follows the criteria used for the main school.
Full-time nursery places are available, and enquiries go through the school office. Families can arrange an appointment to look around before applying. Contact the office on 0161 205 3496 or email admin@st-malachys.manchester.sch.uk. Ask the school for current meal charges.
The school uniform combines grey trousers, a skirt or pinafore with a pale blue polo and navy sweatshirt or cardigan. Clothing may be worn without a school badge, and second-hand uniform is available free through the office. A school-logo reading bag is required.
Collection needs planning: the collecting adult must be a named parent or carer aged at least 16. If delayed, telephone the office and collect there. The school car park cannot be used for dropping children off or collecting them, so families need another arrangement for the journey.
The nursery day starts at 8.45am and ends at 3pm. Lunch runs from 11.30am to 12.30pm.
There are up to 30 places, organised into three keyworker groups with three full-time members of staff.
Contact includes home visits, stay-and-play sessions, daily conversations, reading diaries, home-learning links, formal meetings and feedback each term. Each child has a key person.
Yes. Chop grapes for nursery children, exclude popcorn, and avoid nuts or nut products because of allergies. School meals are also available, with ordering through My Evolve Hub.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families need a separate application through Manchester's Reception application route.
