Westwood High Nursery Review

Stories learned by heart and three-hour sessions give Westwood Kindergarten a clear starting point: a first experience of school built around language and familiar routines. This is Westwood High’s early years provision in Oldham. The Kindergarten caters for children aged 3–5, an age range covering its nursery and Reception provision together.

Spacious classrooms and an outdoor area provide both indoor and outside space. The nursery belongs to an independent Islamic faith school on Kelsall Street. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good following the inspection of 3 to 5 October 2023; this is an early years judgement within the school inspection.

Morning nursery runs from 8:30 am to 11:30 am, while the afternoon session starts at 12:00 pm and ends at 3:00 pm. Each gives children a three-hour session, with a choice of which part of the day they attend. For parents organising work or other childcare, those start and finish times are the practical anchors.

Stories and rhymes are a concrete part of nursery learning. In October 2023, nursery children enjoyed memorising them, giving familiar words and repeated language a place in their day. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), staff were clear about the knowledge children would need for later learning. The emphasis was on laying foundations for what comes next. Classrooms and outdoor provision give that learning more than one setting.

Early reading. In October 2023, some staff teaching the school’s phonics programme needed deeper knowledge to deliver it correctly. This slowed a few pupils’ progress towards fluent reading. That concern is relevant to families thinking ahead about their child’s early reading journey.

Familiar adults and predictable expectations were strengths of the early years experience in October 2023. Relationships between children and staff were supportive, and children soon understood routines and what adults expected of them. For a child beginning school, that familiarity can make the session easier to understand.

An Early Years Supervisor forms part of the Kindergarten’s team structure and meets prospective parents by appointment. This gives families a direct introduction to the early years team before choosing the provision.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Contact the school office to confirm Reception application requirements and deadlines before making plans for the next stage.

For admissions enquiries, contact the school office on 01614590024. Nursery attendance should not be treated as an assurance of the next place when planning your child’s education.

The Kindergarten opens on weekdays, Monday to Friday, for 39 weeks each year during term time. It follows local authority term dates. Families needing childcare during school holidays must account for that term-time pattern.

For three- and four-year-olds, the funded entitlement is 15 hours a week, claimed by completing an entitlement form. It can cover five morning sessions or five afternoon sessions. Some parents may qualify for 30 funded hours; eligibility remains a condition of that longer entitlement.

Contact the Kindergarten for current charges and the terms that apply. Kindergarten enquiries go to 0161 459 0030. Prospective parents can arrange an appointment with the Early Years Supervisor through the school office, providing a practical first step towards choosing sessions and understanding the arrangements.