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Nursery at Ashfield Valley Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, listening games and learning through play give Ashfield Valley’s nursery its shape. Children use indoor and outdoor spaces, while adults join their play to develop conversation and friendships. This is the school’s own nursery on New Barn Lane in Rochdale, within a primary school whose age range starts at three.
A separate provision for two-year-olds is planned, with furniture, learning resources and spaces for exploration. Treat this as a forthcoming option. Its proposed starting point is the term after a child’s second birthday, subject to eligibility and allocation of a place.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good following its June 2023 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery inspection.
Independence begins with small jobs. Children put their belongings on classroom pegs and choose from tasks set out for them. Following registration, the group hears a story and talks about it, giving children a chance to listen, respond and share ideas.
Morning phonics concentrates on listening. Letter sounds are introduced to small groups when children are ready, so this early reading work follows readiness rather than starting everyone at the same point. Short activities led by adults also develop maths, physical skills and social and emotional learning. These are practical foundations for learning alongside other children.
Play then extends across the classroom and outdoor provision. Adults take part to support language and relationships, combining children’s own choices with teaching through conversation. In June 2023, questioning in early years extended children’s understanding and vocabulary, within an orderly environment focused on learning.
Grow to School adds a concrete outdoor connection. The school’s vegetable garden sits at the front of the site, and its account of the 2024-25 project describes classes growing produce, tasting it and cooking it. This gives learning about food a practical setting.
Staff welcome children at the classroom door and encourage parents to exchange information each morning. That makes the handover a useful opportunity to pass on something that could affect a child’s day. Independent tasks provide an immediate activity after saying goodbye.
Both sessions include a healthy snack. Classroom adults and reading ambassadors share books at snack time, linking the routine with manners and looking after oneself. School meals are halal and prepared in the school kitchen; packed lunches are also permitted. These are school meal arrangements, so families should confirm the applicable lunch arrangements when booking nursery attendance.
For special educational needs and disabilities, the school has a qualified teacher coordinating support who holds the National Award for SEN Co-ordination. Teachers plan with this coordinator around children’s needs, within the school’s resources. Parents can contact the SEND team through the office or at sen@ashfieldvalley.rochdale.sch.uk.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions route and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year.
Rochdale Borough Council is the school’s admissions authority. Applications go through its online primary school application service. For the September 2025 intake, the deadline was 15 January 2025; that cycle is past. Use the council’s application timetable for the relevant entry year, keeping the Reception application separate from nursery booking.
The existing nursery welcomes morning children at 8:30am and afternoon children at 11:45am. For the planned two-year-old provision, the proposed 15-hour patterns are mornings from 8:30am to 11:30am, Monday to Friday, or afternoons from 11:45am to 3:30pm, Monday to Thursday. Collection doors are due to open at 11:15am and 3:15pm respectively.
Those proposed places are funded for eligible two-year-olds, with paid sessions for families who do not qualify. The planned provision excludes 30-hour places, and places remain subject to allocation under admissions criteria. Contact the office for current charges.
General and admissions enquiries go to 01706 522 758 or office@ashfieldvalley.rochdale.sch.uk. The school uniform combines red knitwear, a white top, dark trousers or skirt and black shoes; plain red jumpers or cardigans are accepted.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception through Rochdale Borough Council’s normal admissions process.
It is described as forthcoming. The proposed starting age is the term following a child’s second birthday, with places allocated under admissions criteria.
They hear and discuss stories, practise listening through phonics, play indoors and outdoors, and join short activities developing maths, movement and social skills.
Yes. Children have a healthy snack in both morning and afternoon sessions, with books shared by staff and reading ambassadors.
Contact the school office or email sen@ashfieldvalley.rochdale.sch.uk to reach the SEND coordinator. Teachers and the coordinator plan support around children’s needs.
