Burnley Brow Community School Nursery

Three-hour sessions give Burnley Brow’s nursery a clear rhythm: a morning group and an afternoon group, with 30 places in each. This is the school’s own nursery in Chadderton, with entry starting at age three. The 60 places are split between the two sessions, so families are choosing a particular part of the day rather than a single group attending throughout it.

Language development is a strength with direct nursery evidence. At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified skilled support for children’s language in the nursery. For a parent, that makes spoken communication a useful focus when considering the provision: help with language belongs within children’s early learning here.

Early years learning is organised around the knowledge children should acquire and the point at which it should be introduced. In plain parent language, there is a planned sequence behind the learning, rather than simply a collection of activities. That gives the nursery a place within the school’s curriculum from the outset.

Listening and cooperation also feature in the early years picture from July 2023. Ofsted’s observations point to children being ready to participate in a group, with cooperation and familiarity with routines evident in early years. These are practical foundations for group learning: children need to understand what happens next and how to take part alongside others.

For families seeking support with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school’s SEND information points to the Oldham Local Offer, alongside POINT Oldham Parent Forum and SEND IASS. These are named routes for finding information and support, including help relating to emotional health and mental wellbeing. They give parents somewhere concrete to begin when considering their child’s additional needs.

Safeguarding contacts sit within the school leadership team. Burnley Brow also participates in Operation Encompass, a partnership between education and the police supporting children affected by domestic abuse. Following a domestic incident attended by police, information is shared with the school before the next school day begins. This gives staff information relevant to supporting a child at school.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Oldham’s online school admissions route and meet the normal application deadline.

The responsibilities are separate too: nursery admissions are handled by the school’s governing body, while Oldham Local Authority handles Reception places. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two decisions. A place in the morning or afternoon nursery group does not remove the need to apply again for school entry.

Morning nursery runs from 8:50am until 11:50am; the afternoon group attends from 12:20pm until 3:20pm. The nursery timetable gives 15 weekly hours. These fixed session boundaries matter when arranging work and other childcare, especially the late-morning collection or lunchtime start.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 0161 770 3137 or email info@burnleybrow.co.uk. The governing body is responsible for nursery places, so the school is the direct starting point for an enquiry about joining either group.