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Nursery at Oasis Academy Clarksfield
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Songs, rhymes and a story read aloud each day give Little Owls its clearest character: an introduction to learning built around language. Nursery children begin recognising letters and sounds here, with spoken vocabulary developing through daily reading by adults.
Little Owls is Oasis Academy Clarksfield’s nursery for children aged 3–4 in Clarksfield, Oldham. It forms part of the academy’s early years provision. Ofsted graded early years Good following the inspection on 25 and 26 April 2023; this was an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery inspection.
In April 2023, the early years atmosphere was calm, with adults encouraging children in their learning. Singing and rhyme gave children opportunities to use language, while listening to stories helped expand the words they understood and used. For parents, the concrete emphasis is on talk and the beginnings of literacy, rather than just preparation for formal reading.
Sound and letter recognition starts in the Nursery class. These are early building blocks for reading. Across the school’s early reading provision, however, some practice books were poorly matched to children’s existing knowledge of sounds in April 2023, restricting practice and slowing confidence and fluency for some pupils. That concern should not be read as a finding about nursery books specifically.
The academy’s classroom arrangements include reading corners with spaces for regulation and tactile resources. Labelled equipment trays support independent access, and visual timetables help children understand the day. These are arrangements across the academy, rather than a separate description of Little Owls’ rooms.
Early identification of additional needs involves families as well as staff. Foundation staff gather information from parents through preschool visits, while early years staff, the SEND coordinator and the family safeguarding officer liaise with health visitors and the Additional Needs team. This gives concerns raised before school a route into planning for support.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), support is reviewed with families through Person-Centred Reviews held at least termly. Regular contact also includes calls to keep in touch. The academy holds coffee mornings or afternoon teas each term for these families, with translators and members of the SEND team attending. These provide another opportunity to discuss how support is working.
A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Oldham Local Authority’s admissions service, using the Common Application Form; families living outside Oldham use their home authority’s form. Nursery attendance confers no Reception priority under the 2026/2027 arrangements.
For children with SEND moving between classes, teachers hold a handover meeting. Where appropriate, children can meet staff and visit their next classroom, and a photo book can help make the change familiar. This supports transition; it does not change admissions entitlement.
Nursery enquiries go through the academy office on 0161 213 1235 or admin@oasisclarksfield.org. Applications require the completed form to be returned to the office with the child’s birth certificate and/or passport. Families can arrange a visit through the office, including by special request if an open day does not suit them.
The nursery’s 2025/2026 arrangements offered morning or afternoon sessions. For that cycle, three-year-olds could qualify for childcare funding through the Nursery Education Fund depending on family circumstances, with eligibility raised when applying.
Little Owls has nursery classes for children aged 3–4.
Early years children sing, recite rhymes and listen to an adult reading every day. Nursery children also begin recognising sounds and letters.
No. A separate Reception application is required, and nursery attendance gives no priority under the 2026/2027 arrangements.
Contact the academy office on 0161 213 1235 or admin@oasisclarksfield.org. Visits outside open days can be arranged by special request.
Speak to your child’s class teacher first. The SEND team can then help discuss concerns and plan support with you.
