St Mary's CofE Primary School Moston Nursery Review

Reading, conversation and learning to cooperate give this nursery its clearest character. Children join from age three, within St Mary's Church of England primary school in Moston. This is the school's own nursery provision, with nursery teachers listed as part of its Early Years team.

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 3 and 4 June 2025. That judgement covers the school's early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

An 8.50am start and 3pm finish frame the nursery day, with lunch between 11.30am and 12.15pm. For families organising work and collection, that afternoon finish is a concrete planning point. Gates open at 8.40am.

Reading begins early here. In June 2025, children were developing an enjoyment of books from the start of early years. The emphasis gives reading a place in children's first experiences of school, rather than treating it solely as a later skill.

Social learning matters alongside that introduction to books. From early years, children develop the ability to choose, persevere and work with other children. These are practical foundations for joining shared activities and managing challenges. The nursery's mathematics curriculum page also links to a Nursery Maths Yearly Overview, giving parents a named starting point for understanding its maths planning.

Parents have a direct route to support through the School Family Worker, reached through option 2 on the school telephone number. The school's open-door policy invites families to raise concerns about their child. This gives parents a route for discussing worries alongside their contact with nursery staff.

For additional needs, the deputy headteacher also holds the SEND coordinator role. Across the school, children's progress is monitored so that extra help can be introduced when needed. For a nursery family, this makes communication about emerging needs relevant from the outset.

The school's 2023–2024 SEND Core Offer describes visual timetables, individual targets and access to outside professionals, including Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy. These are school-level support arrangements, rather than a promise of a particular intervention for every nursery child. That dated offer also describes wheelchair access inside the building and external ramps to outdoor areas, practical features for families considering physical access.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the council route, using a coordinated admissions form. The nursery application goes to the School Office; the Reception application follows the council route. Keeping those processes distinct matters even when a child already attends St Mary's.

To apply for nursery, obtain an application form from the School Office. The school advises parents to register their child's name early.

For enquiries, telephone 0161 681 0407 or email enquiries@st-maryscofe.manchester.sch.uk. The nursery timetable gives families a clear daily collection time of 3pm. The term-dates page links to the 2026/27 school calendar, a useful reference for organising the family diary around school dates.