Horton Mill Community Primary School Nursery

Rhymes, daily maths and Woodland school give Horton Mill’s nursery a recognisable rhythm: time to listen together, choose activities and learn outdoors. This is the school’s own nursery class in Glodwick, Oldham, with 26 places and entry from the term after a child’s third birthday. Families can choose full-time attendance or morning or afternoon sessions.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 25 and 26 February 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Listening and Maths sessions provide daily shared learning. Alongside these, the challenge curriculum starts with questions that children explore through activities. Adults direct some work, while children choose other activities, both outdoors and inside. The balance gives children a structured part of the day and opportunities to follow their own interests.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) approach brings together learning to communicate, manage feelings and relationships, and develop physical skills. Literacy, number work, creative expression and understanding the world sit alongside these foundations. Horton Mill uses Early Years Outcomes to guide this learning, so the nursery day extends beyond early reading and counting.

Outdoor learning has a specific home in the school’s Woodland Area. Weekly Woodland school runs in the autumn and summer terms, giving nursery children a recurring outdoor experience during those seasons. PE also uses the hall, with children wearing pumps when ready.

In February 2025, nursery children used songs and rhymes to build early language. Across early years, children learning English as an additional language received support with communication from the outset. For families, spoken language is an important part of the learning here.

Settling starts with a short visit. The staggered entry begins with one hour on the first day, then attendance increases according to how the child adjusts. Staff work with parents towards a complete session, rather than expecting every child to manage it immediately. In February 2025, early years children settled promptly and received support to become more independent and confident.

A weekly newsletter links nursery activities with ideas to try at home. Parents can speak with the nursery team at either end of a session, with meetings in autumn and spring and a written progress report in summer. These provide several ways to discuss how a child is getting on.

Snacks are straightforward: the fruit and vegetable scheme supplies a piece of produce each session. Children bring a labelled water bottle and can drink when thirsty; juice and fizzy drinks should stay at home. This makes the session’s snack and drink routine clear for parents packing a bag.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Oldham Council’s website and meet the normal Reception application deadline. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery attendance.

The nursery’s songs, rhymes and communication work build foundations for later learning. That preparation is educational, and does not secure admission.

Morning nursery runs from 8:30 to 11:30; the afternoon session is 12:15 to 15:15. Full-time attendance runs from 8:45 to 15:15. The school provides 15 funded hours for all parents and 30 for eligible working parents, with eligibility criteria applying to the latter.

Nursery enquiries go through the school office: visit in person, telephone 0161 770 7200 or email info@hortonmill.oldham.sch.uk. Applications for nursery therefore start with the school itself.

Uniform consists of a school jumper and white polo shirt with grey or black jogging pants. Label clothing and send a warm coat and sensible footwear. Drop-off and collection take place at the nursery door. A familiar adult should bring and collect the child, and staff must be told beforehand if someone different will collect them. The nursery gate stays locked during the day.