Richmond Academy Nursery Review

A mud kitchen, garden growing and stories give Richmond Academy’s early years provision its character: children have space to explore, with talk and play shaping their learning. Nursery children belong to Diamond Class; Amber Class brings together Pre-School and Rising 3’s. The academy’s early years provision includes children aged two, placing these first learning experiences within the school community in Oldham.

Communication, physical development and learning to manage feelings and relationships are the nursery’s main priorities. For parents, that means the starting point is helping children express themselves, play alongside others and become more independent, rather than simply introducing school subjects earlier.

Children’s interests help determine what happens next. Adults develop ideas through both spontaneous responses and planned activities. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children learn together as a class, work in smaller groups and pursue play independently. This gives them different ways to participate: listening with others, trying something with adult support or following an idea themselves.

Four recurring themes give Nursery a structure. My world explores animals, gardens, growing and weather; The Seasons follows changes in nature. Let’s celebrate introduces religious festivals and cultural events, while I am special, I am ME explores family, friendship and feelings. Familiar experiences become starting points for conversation and discovery.

Indoors, puppets and books sit alongside construction, imaginative small-world play and investigation. Creative and messy activities accompany opportunities to make marks. Children can build, tell stories and experiment with materials, giving their developing language something concrete to describe.

Outside, larger spaces allow activities on a different scale. There are crates for construction, a mud kitchen, den-making opportunities and an allotment and gardening area. A sensory garden and nature area add further places to investigate. Outdoor access extends across the seasons and weather conditions; Richmond has expanded its involvement in the Wildlife Trust’s 30 days wild initiative into 365 days wild.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that early years adults modelled speech effectively and used books, rhymes and stories from the beginning of Pre-School and Nursery. Children practised attentive listening and recognising sounds. This places conversation and enjoyment of stories before the later demands of learning to read.

Parents can talk informally with early years staff, arrange a more convenient conversation when needed and book meetings with their child’s teacher. Purple Mash class blogs share learning, while photographs, objects and WOW slips let families contribute experiences from home. Communication can work in both directions.

For additional needs, the academy has an EYFS SENDCo contact through sen@theharmonytrust.org. This gives families a direct route to discuss support within early years.

A snack is provided during each session. Families may be invited to contribute voluntarily towards snacks where applicable. Hot meals, where offered, carry a charge and need advance booking and payment through ParentPay. These arrangements matter when planning food around a morning or afternoon place.

Attending Richmond’s Nursery does not guarantee admission to its Reception. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process and meet the normal deadline. Treat the nursery place and the later school application as two distinct decisions.

Morning Nursery runs from 08:45 to 11:45; the afternoon session is 12:30 to 15:30. Applications go directly to the academy office. Enquiries can be made on 0161 260 0610 or by emailing info@richmond.theharmonytrust.org.

For three- and four-year-olds, the universal entitlement is 15 funded hours weekly, with eligible working families able to access up to 30. Funding operates during term time and starts in the term following the third birthday. The working-family entitlement requires a valid code that parents regularly reconfirm; an unconfirmed entitlement cannot have a place held for it.

Some eligible two-year-olds can receive 15 funded hours each week from the term following their second birthday. Families apply through the local authority and must supply a valid funding code. Contact the academy for current charges.

Academy uniform includes a purple sweatshirt or cardigan, grey or black trousers or a skirt, and a white top. Label clothing with your child’s name to help keep belongings together.