St Edwards Roman Catholic Primary Nursery Review

Read, Write Inc. begins in Nursery here, giving early reading a named place in the day from the start. St Edwards Roman Catholic Primary’s nursery in Lees, Oldham, takes three-year-olds who turn four during the academic year, with both part-time and full-time places. It sits within a Catholic primary school, so families are choosing a school setting with a religious identity as well as a nursery timetable.

The provision has a nursery building. Full-time places are limited, making the choice of attendance pattern a practical consideration for families needing longer childcare.

Early reading has a clear structure. Nursery children begin Read, Write Inc., the phonics programme used across the school. Lessons move through revisiting skills, introducing learning, practising and applying it: children return to what they know before trying the next step. This gives parents a concrete thread to follow in their child’s early learning.

Books also connect school and home. Children are encouraged to share reading with parents, and books linked to the phonics programme go home too. That creates an activity families can take part in together, rather than leaving early reading entirely to the nursery session.

The attendance pattern shapes how much of the day children spend here. Full-time nursery runs from 9:00am to 3:15pm, while afternoon places run from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. A part-time morning option is also offered.

Preparation starts before the September intake. Families who have secured a nursery place are invited to a summer information evening, with time to see the nursery afterwards. Children are then offered a morning or afternoon introductory session, usually in June. These are opportunities to become familiar with the setting before the regular routine begins.

Nursery teaching includes the deputy headteacher, who also leads the Foundation Stage, and a second nursery teacher working on Mondays and Tuesdays. For additional needs, families can contact the school’s special educational needs coordinator through the office. The school’s pastoral lead also offers families support and guidance, providing another route for discussing concerns.

Fruit snacks and milk come at no extra charge. Lunch meals are charged separately, and children may bring a packed lunch instead. Where a child needs nappies, parents supply these along with wipes and nappy bags. Clothes should be labelled, helping keep personal belongings identifiable.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through Oldham Council, even when their child already attends this nursery.

For the September 2026 intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026 at 5pm. That cycle is now past. The important distinction remains: choosing nursery and applying for Reception are separate decisions and processes.

Funded provision covers 15 hours a week for all families in England, with 30 hours for eligible working families. The nursery’s funding arrangement covers 38 weeks. Families entitled to 15 funded hours can pay for additional childcare, subject to the limited full-time places. Contact the school for current charges.

To register interest or arrange a visit, call 0161 624 1377. The school is on Rowland Way, Lees, Oldham, OL4 3LQ.

School run restrictions. Driving around school is restricted between 8:15am and 9:15am, and between 2:45pm and 3:45pm, with ANPR cameras operating during those periods. These overlap the full-time nursery start and finish, so allow for them when planning journeys.