Salfords Primary School and Nursery: Nursery Review

Hatchlings and Fledglings give Salfords’ nursery its own identity, with separate rooms for younger and older children within the primary school. Children can start from age 2; the room structure covers ages 2–3 and 3–4, although older two-year-olds may join the older room if applications for two-year-olds outnumber those for three- and four-year-olds.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 23 and 24 February 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection.

Counting dinosaurs in a sand tray captures the approach: adults connect learning with children’s interests. Nursery maths includes a daily song, rhyme or activity, plus a weekly focus taught in small groups. Individual next steps are woven into play, giving children another way to practise a skill that needs attention.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together physical development, relationships and communication with early reading, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Development Matters guides this work, alongside the GLF STEAM curriculum. Children choose activities through Continuous Provision, with access to indoor and outdoor learning. Inside, activity areas cover the EYFS curriculum and use I can stands to connect play with learning objectives.

Woodland Discovery adds a named outdoor space, and children in early years have the opportunity for a cooking activity each week. Nursery children also select a library book to enjoy at home, changed weekly; parents are expected to read with them and record this daily. In February 2022, early years children frequently heard stories, verse and rhymes delivered expressively. Listening and enjoyment have a place alongside practical learning.

Settling starts at home. Staff visit before a child begins, and an All About Me form helps staff get to know the child. A key person becomes the family’s main contact and takes responsibility for individual care and learning through play. Parents learn who this is after a few weeks, allowing the match to reflect relationships with staff, interests and additional needs.

Tapestry shares photographs and observations with parents, while an open-door approach allows direct conversations. Both Hatchlings and Fledglings have room leaders. The nursery team includes Level 3 qualified practitioners, and the Fledglings room leader holds a foundation degree and a BA (Hons) in Early Years Teaching and Learning.

In February 2022, early years staff worked with the special educational needs coordinator to recognise SEND promptly. Families can choose a cooked school lunch or send a healthy packed lunch. Hot lunches are an additional charge, so funded attendance and food should be considered separately.

Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor provides automatic transfer. Families must make a separate application through the normal local-authority process by the relevant deadline. For September 2027 entry, Surrey County Council manages applications, with a deadline of 15 January 2027.

Attending the nursery gives no Reception priority under the 2027–28 criteria. Priority categories concern care history, siblings and eligible children of staff, followed by other applicants, with distance used to rank children. Treat choosing the nursery and obtaining a school place as separate decisions.

Term-time attendance runs from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Families choose a full week or one of two 15-hour patterns: Monday and Tuesday plus Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon plus Thursday and Friday. Wednesday halves run from 9am to noon and noon to 3pm. Optional paid Wednesday half-days may allow three full days, subject to availability.

Universal funding provides 15 hours from the term after a child turns 3. Eligible families may use working-parent funding or Surrey’s FEET funding for two-year-olds. Funded sessions are fully covered; unfunded attendance, hot lunches and wraparound care attract charges. Ask the school for current charges. Breakfast Club runs from 7.45am to 9am. Confirm the after-school finish when booking: Phoenix is described as ending at 5pm, while the nursery arrangements also offer a 3pm–6pm option.

Uniform includes a white polo shirt, embroidered sweatshirt and black bottoms, with footwear that has no laces. Wellington boots and waterproof all-in-ones stay at nursery. Term finishes are at 1pm for nursery in 2026–27. September 2026 intake is full, with a waiting list for spaces that arise; email nursery@salfordsschool.org to arrange a visit.