St Margaret Mary's RC Primary School Nursery

Triangles, Circles and Squares give this nursery its own small-group identity. Children belong to these family groups with their own key workers, within a nursery of 45 places forming part of the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Play takes place indoors and outside, with sand, water and paint stations among the practical features.

Children can start in September after their third birthday. Catholic faith shapes the provision: the nursery aims to develop children’s spiritual growth alongside their learning, and the EYFS curriculum incorporates Jesuit virtues. We hold no published inspection grade for it.

The usual nursery day runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Registration includes choosing a special helper, who gives compliments to three classmates, takes on small jobs and uses a designated chair. It gives children a concrete role in classroom life.

Learning combines children’s own choices with activities directed by adults, in both small and larger groups. The EYFS covers seven learning areas; here, the practical emphasis includes conversation, relationships, movement, early reading and mathematics. Nursery circle times develop personal and social skills alongside communication and language. Physical activities alternate between larger movements and finer hand skills.

Little Wandle is the phonics programme. Nursery rhyme packs connect classroom learning with home: after children have settled, packs go out on Mondays and come back on Fridays. Books containing words begin only when a child reaches the appropriate phonics stage, assessed each half term. Counting rhymes, sorting and exploring quantities, shapes and size introduce early mathematics before the number-of-the-week mastery approach.

Sand, paint and water provide opportunities for hands-on exploration. Indoor and outdoor learning receive equal emphasis, and staff review the environment weekly in response to children’s interests. The in-the-moment approach means adults respond to what a child is doing and use it to extend their learning. Children also bring an object for the focus table linked to the week’s colour, sound or shape, giving families a specific way to contribute.

Key workers provide continuity within the family groups. Parents can spend a little time playing with their child in the morning and talk to nursery staff; termly meetings review individual targets. Workshops and observation sessions also let parents see phonics and mathematics teaching, while key-worker meetings share learning experiences. Communication has several routes.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), the school’s approach includes adjusting learning experiences and providing individual or group support where needed. The class teacher is the first contact for concerns, and parents may also approach the Inclusion Manager directly. Families considering a place for a child with SEND can arrange an initial visit with the Inclusion Manager or headteacher. This provides a named role to discuss needs before entry.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application directly to their local authority through the normal Reception admissions process, by its normal deadline. Manchester and Oldham both have application routes identified for families. Treat this as a separate decision from joining nursery.

Preparation also includes everyday independence. Parents are asked to help children practise dressing and undressing ahead of the move to Reception. That is a practical transition activity, separate from securing admission.

Admission enquiries and completed nursery applications go to admissions@st-margaretmarys.manchester.sch.uk. Nursery places are confirmed during the spring term before entry.

Short-sleeved shirts are requested for nursery so children can use the paint, water and sand stations. Names on clothing, especially jumpers and ties, help staff identify belongings. Children do PE in their uniform; a separate nursery PE kit is unnecessary. These are useful details when preparing for the first day.