St Mary's RC Primary School Nursery Review

Picture books, speaking and listening activities and an outdoor area give St Mary's nursery its own starting point within this Catholic primary school in Eccles. The school's age range begins at three, and nursery children have a classroom and playground of their own. This is school-based early education, with a nursery teacher and teaching assistants working within the foundation-stage team.

Ofsted graded early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 12 and 13 November 2024. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, the framework for children's early learning and development. St Mary's uses Development Matters alongside children's interests to plan that learning. Topics change each half term, drawing on the seasons and cultural events as well as what interests the children. That gives adults a structure while leaving room for children's curiosity.

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides the phonics approach. Nursery starts with Phase 1: children practise listening and speaking, notice surrounding sounds, and begin joining spoken sounds together or separating them. Single sounds in Phase 2 follow when children are ready. The emphasis begins with hearing language, rather than expecting immediate reading.

Books also connect nursery with home. The September 2025 welcome letter describes picture books being sent home later in the school year for children to discuss with an adult. Sharing the pictures gives families a practical way to join in before independent reading.

The classroom and outdoor area are introduced through Play and Stay sessions. These let children explore the spaces they will use for learning. In November 2024, early years children showed enthusiastic learning habits and excellent behaviour, supported by adults with a detailed understanding of child development.

The September 2025 welcome letter describes children exploring the classroom and outdoor area during Play and Stay sessions, helping them become familiar with the nursery spaces. Parents can raise questions with the nursery teacher through the office; the welcome letter explains that a telephone response is likely. This gives families a clear contact route.

Daily snacks consist of milk and fruit and are free for nursery children. Food brought from home must exclude nuts. Families should tell staff about allergies and medical conditions, and any inhaler needs to be labelled and within its expiry date. A spare outfit can stay on the child's peg for accidents.

Additional support has a defined route through the school's SEND coordinator, who works with staff to review progress and plan interventions. External agencies can contribute specialist advice. In November 2024, early years staff recognised children who needed extra help and provided support for their development.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two distinct decisions.

The school's application page links to primary-place information and its admission policy. Use the relevant admission arrangements when making that later application; familiarity with the nursery must not be treated as an allocated school place.

The September 2025 nursery letter gives an arrival window of 8.45am to 8.55am, with collection at 3.25pm. Drop-off uses the nursery entrance; collection is from its playground. An alternative collector must either have been introduced to staff or use an agreed password, giving families a specific handover procedure.

Bring a coat, water bottle and spare clothes, and label clothing and shoes. Jewellery is excluded. Nursery pupils do not need ties, and branded uniform is optional. Large bags are prohibited; school book bags can be obtained through the office.

Visits can be arranged by appointment with the school office. Contact office@st-marys-eccles.salford.sch.uk or telephone 0161 789 4532 for enquiries and visit arrangements. Contributions to the nursery fund are voluntary.