Hey-with-Zion Primary School Nursery Review

Counting and learning to write their own names are starting points for nursery children at Hey-with-Zion. This is school-based early education in Lees, with Acorn and Oak named as Nursery/Reception classes. Those shared class identities place the nursery within the school's early years provision.

The September intake is for children who reached three in the previous term, subject to places being available. Capacity depends on the balance of attendance patterns: 20 full-time places and/or 40 part-time places, with 20 morning and 20 afternoon places. Families therefore choose between a full-time pattern and shorter sessions, rather than one compulsory length of day.

Early learning includes two concrete activities: working with numbers and writing children's own names. These give families a useful picture of the first learning steps here, with an emphasis on counting and personally meaningful writing.

The early years curriculum includes Supersonic Phonic Friends alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Under this framework, the school aims to shape learning to suit each child's interests and needs, check their development regularly and work with parents. This connects learning plans with the individual child. Acorn and Oak are the named Nursery/Reception classes, giving this provision its own identity within the primary school.

Lunch offers a choice. Nursery children can have a school dinner or bring a packed lunch, allowing families to choose which arrangement suits their child. Taylor Shaw provides the school catering, with meals cooked in the school's kitchens. The menus meet School Food Standards and bronze Food for Life standards, and cater for dietary and cultural requirements.

Foundation Stage children receive fruit and milk free each day. Water can be brought in a clear bottle; fruit juice and fizzy drinks should stay at home.

Support for additional needs involves the school's special educational needs coordinator (SENCO), whose responsibilities include identifying needs during EYFS. Across the school, parents can arrange appointments with the teacher or SENCO, and termly meetings discuss children's SEND progress. That gives families a route to raise concerns and participate in reviewing support.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Reception. Families must make a separate application through Oldham Local Authority. For the September 2027 intake, the application deadline is 15 January 2027, with offers due on 16 April 2027.

Nursery attendance is not among the priority criteria. Allocation considers looked-after and previously looked-after children, exceptional medical or welfare needs supported by evidence, siblings and distance. Familiarity with the school therefore does not replace the application process.

Once a child has an offer, parents are invited to an evening meeting with Reception staff and receive an information pack. A July session lets the child experience the new setting. These are transition arrangements for children offered places, separate from admission priority.

Part-time attendance has a 15-hour weekly funded entitlement. Full-time attendance can be covered by 30-hour government funding where a valid entitlement code is supplied; without that code, the additional 15 hours are charged. Ask the school for current charges. Optional dinners and voluntary trips or visits are separate considerations, while parents provide consumables such as nappies and sun cream.

Tours of the school and nursery can be booked by contacting the school. The office can be reached on 0161 840 0067 or at info@hwz.epworthtrust.org.uk. The nursery is on Rowland Way, Lees, Oldham, OL4 3LQ.