Whitegate End Primary and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Learning about themselves, their families and their homes gives Whitegate End’s youngest children a familiar starting point. The nursery belongs to Whitegate End Primary and Nursery School on Butterworth Lane in Chadderton, with an early years curriculum that begins with the world children already know.

Children normally join in September after turning three; an earlier start can be possible if spaces permit. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 28 and 29 January 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the curriculum framework. Here, Understanding The World includes exploring home and family, giving children familiar subjects to talk about as they begin learning about their surroundings. Play and spoken language also feature in the school’s curriculum approach.

Books and songs have a clear place in the nursery’s learning. During the 2023–2024 school year, families were encouraged to share children’s books and sing songs and nursery rhymes daily as preparation for phonics. Nursery children also visited the school library on Fridays, borrowing a book until the next Friday. This linked reading at school with something families could continue at home.

Outdoor learning featured in that same year’s early years arrangements: children went outside whatever the weather, with a welly rack for their labelled boots and waterproof onesies for use when needed. These practical details made outdoor activity part of the provision rather than something reserved for dry days.

Curriculum planning. In January 2025, most early years learning areas had their essential knowledge mapped out, but some still needed clearer decisions about content and sequence. This sometimes made it harder for staff to plan activities that developed children’s knowledge in sufficient depth. It is a material consideration alongside the Good early years judgement.

Settling into nursery was a strength in January 2025. For a child learning to take part in group activities, help with everyday routines matters. Inspectors found that this support enabled nursery children to settle and cooperate with others.

Relax Kids brings a named approach to emotional well-being. Sessions run weekly in classes including Nursery, and support staff have received training through the programme. Classrooms also contain a safe place, a worry box and a proud cloud, giving feelings and achievements a physical place within school life.

For additional needs, the school’s team includes a SENCo and an Inclusion Lead. Some children have a Pupil Passport created with their teacher and parents, so staff can use information about the child when choosing support strategies. This gives families a specific way to contribute their knowledge of their child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the local authority where they live, using the normal Reception application process and deadline. Oldham administers the school’s Reception admissions. Keep that application separate from nursery registration when planning your child’s next step.

The school office manages nursery applications. For a September start, register interest before the end of the preceding February; application forms are sent from March onwards to families on the list.

Contact the office on 0161 770 5460 or email info@whitegateend.oldham.sch.uk. An enquiry form is also provided on the contact page, giving families another route to begin nursery registration.