St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Middleton: Nursery Review

A story about vegetables led to nursery children digging potatoes and making chips at St Mary's. That small example captures a practical connection between books and children's experiences: a story becomes something to handle, investigate and eat.

The nursery belongs to the Roman Catholic primary school on Wood Street in Langley, Middleton. It sits within the school's early years provision, with a nursery class teacher and an early years leadership role. Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 23 and 24 May 2023; this judgement covers the school's early years, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Oliver’s Vegetables provides a concrete example of learning extending beyond listening to a book. Digging up potatoes gives children something tangible to connect with the story, while turning them into chips links that experience to food. It is a specific nursery activity, rather than a promise about every session.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the nursery's early education framework. In May 2023, teaching across early years used suitable activities to introduce learning and gave children opportunities to return to earlier work. Songs, stories and rhymes were repeated regularly, helping children practise listening and build their vocabulary. For parents, these familiar activities have a clear purpose: repetition gives children more chances to understand and use language.

Settling involves learning how the classroom works. In May 2023, nursery staff concentrated on helping children understand routines and rules, supporting their adjustment to school life. Familiar expectations give the beginning of nursery a practical focus.

Speech and language support starts early. The January 2023 SEN information report describes WELCOMM assessment on entry to nursery, followed by reassessment at the year's end. Findings can lead to referrals or class support, with information shared with parents to support practice at home. The same document identifies a purpose built sensory room within the school, rather than a nursery-specific room.

A SENCO coordinates additional support, and the September 2023 policy sets out an assess, plan, do and review cycle involving parents. The May 2023 inspection also identified whole-school concerns about inconsistent adaptations for some children with SEND and unfinished curriculum work in some subjects. These concerns should be considered alongside the early years judgement, without treating them as nursery-specific findings.

Meals are ordered by parents through Evolve, with allergies and food preferences recorded in the child's account. Food is prepared on site. Dojo gives parents a route to contact the class teacher, alongside letters sent home.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Rochdale's normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child's entry year.

The arrangements for September 2026 did not give nursery attendance priority. Their criteria covered Catholic status, care history, siblings and parish residence, with distance used to distinguish applicants within a category. Nursery membership was not one of those criteria. The school prospectus directs Reception applications through Rochdale Council's website.

The 2026 prospectus gives three nursery patterns: mornings from 9am to noon, afternoons from noon to 3pm, and full days from 9am to 3pm. A charged nursery breakfast option runs from 8:30am to 9am. Refer to the school for current charges.

Full-day timing. The homepage instead gives 8:30am to 2:30pm for the full day. Resolve this difference before arranging work or collection around either timetable.

Nursery enquiries can go to office@st-mrc.co.uk or 0161 643 7594. When another adult will collect a child, the prospectus requires parents to complete the Alternative Collection form by 2pm.