Stanley Road Primary School Nursery Review

Stories, rhymes and explicit teaching give Stanley Road’s nursery its character. This provision for children aged three and four belongs to Stanley Road Primary School on Derby Street, Chadderton. It combines an introduction to reading with a structured early years curriculum, making the teaching approach a useful starting point for parents choosing between nurseries.

Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 23 and 24 January 2024. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision; it is not a separate nursery inspection outcome.

Adult teaching and structured activities sit alongside each other. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework guides the curriculum, with direct instruction combined with continuous provision: learning opportunities organised for children to use beyond the adult teaching. For parents, the distinction matters. This is an approach that deliberately plans both teaching and the activities around it.

Sounds-Write provides the named phonics approach, with direct teaching beginning in Nursery. Alongside this, children hear stories and rhymes and become familiar with books shared by their teachers. In January 2024, this introduction to texts gave nursery children a strong foundation for learning to read. Books therefore have a clear purpose in the day, as well as providing stories to enjoy.

Learning also includes different kinds of families within the early years curriculum. That gives children a subject connected to their own lives and a way to begin understanding other households.

For children taking a 30-hour place, lunch needs a decision: families provide a packed lunch or buy a school meal through School Hub. The meal is a charged extra, so parents should obtain current charges from the school before choosing that option.

SEND enquiries go through the school office, giving families a direct contact route for discussing special educational needs and disabilities. The school building has full disabled access for both parents and children. Physical access and a route to discuss individual needs are practical considerations when planning a child’s start.

A nursery place does not guarantee admission to Stanley Road’s Reception class. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; the school directs prospective families to Oldham Council for school admission enquiries. Treat the nursery decision and the Reception application as separate tasks.

The distinction matters even when a child already attends nursery on the school site. Choosing this provision should rest on its nursery teaching and session pattern, rather than an expectation that attendance secures the next place.

The 15-hour funded offer uses either morning sessions, 08:30 to 11:30, or afternoon sessions, 12:15 to 15:15, across five days each week. Working parents who satisfy the eligibility conditions can access 30 funded hours. Nursery applications go through the school office, which can be contacted on 0161 770 8383 or at info@stanleyroad.oldham.sch.uk.

Uniform applies from Nursery: dark trousers or a black or grey skirt, a white top, a school jumper or cardigan and black shoes. Branding is optional, and second-hand uniform is obtainable through the office. Label clothing to help it return to the right child.

Parking takes planning. On-site spaces are limited, and vehicles cannot enter or leave the right-hand car park between 08:30 and 09:05 or between 15:00 and 15:30. These restrictions overlap nursery session times, so build them into collection and drop-off arrangements.