Yew Tree Community School Nursery Review

Puppets, story props and Signalong actions give language learning a practical shape at Yew Tree’s nursery. Stories lead the topics, while conversation and play help children explore their ideas. This is the school’s own nursery in Chadderton, with entry from age three and January or April starts possible when spaces permit.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at its October 2024 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together care and learning. Here, its foundations are movement, communication and children’s emotional and social development. Maths, literacy, creative expression and learning about the world extend those foundations. For parents, that means learning reaches beyond early reading and counting: becoming independent and learning to cooperate matter too.

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised supplies the nursery’s foundation phonics programme. Children explore sounds through poems, stories, action rhymes and listening activities, including oral blending. Adult-guided experiences sit alongside activities children choose themselves. The emphasis is on listening and language before the next stage of reading.

Indoors and outside, planned learning spaces support exploration and imaginative play. Staff develop learning through questions and conversation, and observe children’s interests to decide their next steps. Puppets and Signalong actions accompany songs and storytelling, giving children another way to join in. iPads also support early years activities, including animated stories and games involving numbers and phonics.

Each half term, a Knowledge Mat connects classroom learning with home. Topic vocabulary, skills and story QR codes give parents specific starting points for conversations and shared reading.

Children joining early years settled successfully in October 2024, and cooperated with one another during learning. Staff also used everyday opportunities to develop vocabulary and spoken language. These findings support the nursery’s emphasis on relationships and conversation. At the October 2024 inspection, persistent absence remained high among younger pupils across the school. Attendance expectations had not been made clear enough to parents and carers.

Before starting, families are encouraged to practise brief separations, sharing, recognising their child’s name and managing coats and shoes. For September 2026 entrants, a June open afternoon offered time with staff in the new classroom. That gave children and parents a concrete opportunity to become familiar with the setting before the start.

Tapestry shares photographs, videos and observations of children’s learning. Parents can contribute pictures and comments, exchange messages and ask questions; a class noticeboard carries letters and general updates. Concerns about speech can also be discussed with the class teacher.

The school adapts lessons for individual needs and provides disabled access. Parents can arrange a SENDCO meeting through the office. Discuss lunch arrangements with the school when agreeing your child’s nursery attendance pattern. Breakfast and an afternoon snack are provided in the separate Before & After School Club.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Oldham Council’s online admissions route during the autumn term. Keep that application separate from arranging nursery attendance.

Nursery and Reception staff coordinate their teaching so that skills and knowledge build across the foundation stage. This supports continuity in learning; it does not secure admission. In July 2026, the whole-school transition day also gave children time with their next teachers.

Morning nursery attendance totals 15 hours a week. Full-time and afternoon places are also offered, while Pre-School can provide afternoon care alongside the morning arrangement. Agree the attendance pattern when arranging a place. Nursery applications go directly to the school, through the office or the online form, and visits can be booked by telephone.

The term-time Before & After School Club accepts Yew Tree children aged three to eleven. Qualified, experienced staff work in a separate adapted building; bookings go through the office or club staff. Contact the school for current charges.

Road safety. A nursery child was struck by a car on Lancaster Street in May 2026 and subsequently returned to school. Traffic restrictions and other safety measures were being explored. Families should drive carefully, avoid inconsiderate parking and walk where possible during drop-off and collection.