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Nursery at Wardley CofE Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Role play, early sounds and a classroom opening directly onto a playground give Wardley’s nursery its character: learning begins with things children can try, say and explore. This is the nursery class at Wardley CofE Primary School on Moss Bank Road, within the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The school takes children from age three, and the nursery admission number is 26.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 29 and 30 April 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery inspection.
Children divide their learning between activities guided by adults and play they choose themselves. The EYFS brings together language, physical development and social skills with early literacy, maths, creativity and learning about the world. For parents, that means conversation and independence matter alongside recognising sounds and numbers.
The home corner and role-play provision give children places to explore ideas through play. Direct access from the classroom to the playground connects indoor learning with outdoor activity. Staff plan for both, shaping provision around the strengths they identify in individual children. The balance gives children room to pursue an interest while adults introduce new skills.
Reading starts with recognising initial sounds, then moves towards blending when those sounds become fluent. Read Write Inc. (RWI) is the named phonics scheme. Nursery curriculum plans include exploring local helpers, seasonal changes, caring for plants and how animals change over time. These give early conversations and investigations concrete subjects. Half-term curriculum leaflets also help families connect learning at home with classroom topics.
In April 2025, early years routines helped children become more independent and feel secure. Staff also developed persistence and resilience. In some recently revised subjects, inspectors found that learning gaps went undetected or unaddressed, and pupils sometimes progressed to new concepts before their learning was secure. They required the school to ensure staff had the knowledge and skills to tackle those gaps. Early years was identified separately as an established curriculum in which children achieved well.
Sharing and waiting for a turn are taught explicitly in early years, giving children practice in the social skills needed for group learning. A nursery teacher is identified in the staffing structure. For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), families can contact the school’s SEND coordinator through the office; Salford Information Advice and Support Service provides independent support to parents and carers.
Food arrangements allow a school dinner or a healthy packed lunch. The dinner menu follows a three-week rotation, with a salad bar alongside it. EYFS children receive fruit for their morning snack, and milk is free for children under five. The school asks for two weeks’ notice when families change between dinners and packed lunches. These are practical choices to settle before the first full day.
A new Nursery and Reception parent drop-in meeting took place on 30 June 2025. Alongside this example of contact before starting, curriculum leaflets give parents information about each half-term’s learning.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Wardley’s admissions route is Salford City Council, with applications made directly to the local authority.
Preparation for the next stage is a separate matter. The nursery team describes helping children develop independence, confidence and skills for their transition to Reception. That preparation supports the child’s learning; it does not secure admission.
The school-day page gives nursery hours of 8.55am to 3.05pm, with the nursery door opening at 8.55am. The EYFS page gives different morning and afternoon times. Confirm attendance times with the office before arranging drop-off and collection.
The EYFS equipment list includes a water bottle, warm coat, practical shoes and a bag containing spare clothes. Initial enquiries go to the school office on 0161 537 0383. Tours can be arranged through the office, giving families an opportunity to see the school before applying.
The nursery admission number is 26.
The school-day page gives 8.55am to 3.05pm for nursery. Confirm attendance times with the office, as the EYFS page publishes different session times.
Children combine adult-guided activities with play they choose themselves. Role play, outdoor learning and initial sounds are part of the provision.
EYFS children receive morning fruit, and milk is free for children under five. Children can have a school dinner or bring a healthy packed lunch.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception through Salford City Council’s admissions process.
