Nursery at Blackshaw Lane Primary & Nursery 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Three-hour sessions give Blackshaw Lane’s nursery a clear daily shape, with morning and afternoon options within the school’s Foundation Stage Unit. Nursery places start from age three; the wider unit educates children aged three to five. There are 26 morning places and 26 afternoon places, so families can choose which part of the day suits their routine.
The school aims to help children learn independently and alongside others, with learning shaped around their individual starting points. An Early Years & Early Reading Lead forms part of the school team, giving this stage a specific leadership role.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven connected areas of development. Talking and listening, physical skills, and relationships and emotions provide the foundations. Learning also covers literacy, mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world. For parents, that means the curriculum reaches beyond early reading and counting to how children communicate, move and play together.
Physical preparation matters for writing. Early years work includes developing strength through the body, arms, hands and fingers, helping children build towards controlling a pencil. The EYFS class has its own entrance in the Quad garden, reached along the building’s right-hand side.
Lunch offers a choice for children attending for 30 hours and remaining through lunchtime: a packed lunch or a purchased school meal. Meals are prepared on the school premises each day. Families can therefore choose between food from home and an onsite meal when arranging a longer nursery day.
Additional needs can be raised from the outset. The nursery application asks about medical conditions, allergies and educational or social needs, including an EHCP. The school says it adapts curriculum access for individual needs, and families can contact the SENDCO through the school telephone number. Safeguarding concerns can be taken to the designated leads through the office, providing a clear contact route for parents.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate Reception application through Oldham Council’s online admissions service; the local authority allocates the places. Choosing the nursery therefore leaves a further application to complete for the school stage. Keep that application separate from nursery booking and funding arrangements.
Morning nursery runs from 8:50am to 11:50am; afternoon nursery runs from 11:50am to 2:50pm. The universal funded entitlement is 15 hours each week from the term after a child turns three. Eligible families may receive another 15 funded hours, making 30 in total. Families outside that eligibility can purchase extra sessions, subject to space.
There are no additional charges for activities or resources. Contact the school office on 0161 770 7660 for funding eligibility, availability, payment arrangements and current charges. Nursery application forms go back to the office and include morning, afternoon, funded 30-hour and paid top-up options, allowing families to indicate their preferred pattern.
Nursery places begin from age three, with universal funded early education starting in the term after the third birthday.
Morning sessions are 8:50am to 11:50am. Afternoon sessions are 11:50am to 2:50pm.
Families meeting the eligibility criteria may receive 30 funded hours per week from the term after their child turns three.
Children attending for 30 hours and staying through lunchtime can bring a packed lunch or purchase a school meal.
No. Parents must apply separately for Reception through Oldham Council’s online admissions service, and the local authority allocates places.
