The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Greenacres Primary Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A sound table, daily Fred Games and picture books to borrow give Greenacres’ nursery a distinctly language-focused character. This is the school’s own nursery on Dunkerley Street in Oldham, with children starting from age three. There are 52 nursery places, divided into 26 for the morning and 26 for the afternoon.
Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 30 June and 1 July 2022. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Play and teaching share the day. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum combines learning as a class, teaching in groups and learning through play across seven areas. Children’s interests, stories and themes help shape activities, while teaching builds on what children already know from home or an earlier setting. For parents, that means a starting point based on their child’s experience.
Read Write Inc. Phonics gives early language work a clear sequence. Autumn begins with listening to stories and enjoying language; children contribute to a sound table as letter sounds are introduced informally. Daily Fred Talk and Fred Games break spoken words into sounds. From spring, teachers introduce two Set 1 Speed sounds each week, aiming to cover the full set by summer’s end. Pictures, memorable phrases and writing the letter accompany this work, with earlier sounds revisited daily.
Books extend beyond the classroom. Nursery children can borrow picture books from the Infant library to share at home, making shared reading part of family life too. Outdoors, the school has a purpose-built natural space for its Forest School, with classes taking turns on Forest Fridays. Further experiences are planned for the nursery: morning and afternoon trips to Smithills Farm in April 2027, followed by a Nursery Family Day at Alexandra Park in July 2027.
In June and July 2022, early years teaching explained ideas clearly and returned to earlier learning to help children remember it. The school-level improvement requirement concerned teachers’ knowledge in one or two subjects, which sometimes limited how effectively content was taught. Leaders were required to ensure teachers received the necessary subject training; the concern was not identified as nursery-specific.
Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) begins before entry. Families and involved agencies share information through home or preschool visits, and additional school visits are encouraged for children who may find the change difficult. This allows support to be prepared before a child starts.
Class teachers and teaching assistants work together on children’s support, with the SENCo coordinating SEND provision. Parents contribute to targets and review progress at termly meetings. Visual timetables and picture cues are used throughout school, giving children another way to understand routines. In June and July 2022, staff understood how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns involving early years children.
Full-time nursery children have lunch between 11.30am and 12.30pm. The academy plans menus to accommodate cultural, religious and special dietary requirements.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through Oldham Council’s online primary application process by its closing date. For entry in 2027–2028, nursery attendance confers no priority: the oversubscription categories cover care status, exceptional medical or social circumstances, siblings and proximity.
Transition support is a separate matter. Children with SEND can make extra visits to their next class where needed, helping them become familiar with the change without affecting admission entitlement.
Morning nursery finishes at 11.50am. Afternoon children enter at 12.15pm and finish at 3.30pm. Classroom doors open at 8.50am, and collection is from the classroom door. Contact the office promptly if collection will be delayed.
Nursery applications are managed by the academy. Send the completed application form to admin@greenacres-academy.org; the office can also be reached on 0161 770 5350. Prospective families are welcome to visit. The school also runs the New to You Uniform Shop, where families can exchange or donate uniform.
There are 52 places: 26 in the morning and 26 in the afternoon.
Children listen to stories, contribute to a sound table and use Fred Talk and Fred Games. From spring, teachers introduce two Set 1 Speed sounds each week through Read Write Inc. Phonics.
Morning nursery ends at 11.50am. Afternoon entry is at 12.15pm, with collection at 3.30pm.
No. A separate application through Oldham Council is required. Nursery attendance gives no priority for Reception entry in 2027–2028.
Staff gather information from families and involved agencies before entry through home or preschool visits. Additional school visits are encouraged where the transition may be difficult.
