St Thomas More RC Primary School Nursery, Alkrington

Purposeful play and carefully chosen adult conversation give this nursery its clearest character. At St Thomas More Roman Catholic Primary School in Alkrington, nursery provision belongs to the Foundation Stage department. It sits within a Catholic school on Evesham Road, where the relationship between home, school and parish shapes the wider ethos.

Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 1 and 2 October 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The detail behind it matters: children stayed absorbed in their play, while adults used conversation deliberately to develop language.

A morning session runs from 8.40am to 11.40am. An afternoon session, from 12.10pm to 3.10pm, is linked to eligibility for 30 hours. These are distinct blocks, so families should plan around the session boundaries rather than assume a continuous day.

In October 2024, nursery children learned in classes alongside Reception children. Teaching was planned with the different ages in mind. For a younger child, the practical question is how activities and adult help match their stage of development within that shared class.

The early years foundation stage, or EYFS, is visible here through play, language development and adult support for learning. Adults helped children become involved and sustain their concentration. This gives conversation a teaching purpose: the way an adult talks with a child supports their ability to communicate.

Early writing also connects with phonics in the school's early years teaching. Families can support that connection through reading together. The Foundation page provides classroom tours and parent resources including Birth to Five Matters and What to Expect When, giving parents ways to understand early development alongside classroom learning.

Personal contact with staff is part of the Foundation department's approach to working with parents. Its introduction recognises that starting nursery can bring worries for families, and encourages direct discussion. Teacher appointments go through the school office, providing a clear route for a longer conversation about a child's experience.

Nursery meals carry a charge. Families should refer to the school for current charges; the free-meal wording elsewhere on the lunch page should not be treated as an automatic nursery entitlement.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, the school's SEND page connects families with Rochdale's Local Offer, including support for children with and without an Education, Health and Care Plan. It also provides access to the school's SEN Information Report and Accessibility Plan. These are useful starting points for discussing a child's needs before joining.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by its deadline. Being taught alongside Reception children is a classroom arrangement, not an admissions entitlement, and should be considered separately from the application decision.

Contact the school office on 0161 643 7132 for nursery enquiries. The address is Evesham Road, Alkrington, Middleton, Manchester, M24 1PY.

Touchline is the school's uniform ordering route, with delivery either to school or home. For appointments during the day, parents must accompany children between the school entrance and collection or drop-off. A child arriving late must come into school with an adult and be signed in.