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Nursery at Bridgewater Park 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Muddy puddles, a garden growing vegetables and weekly Forest School give Bridgewater Park’s nursery an outdoor thread. Children can join as soon as they turn 3, becoming part of a mixed Nursery and Reception EYFS class at the school on Plantation Close in Castlefields, Runcorn. The team includes a class teacher, a higher-level teaching assistant and a teaching assistant.
Ofsted’s January 2026 judgement placed early years at Expected standard. That covers the school’s early years provision together, rather than a separate nursery rating.
Forest School brings a weekly opportunity to investigate outdoors, tackle problems and try things out. A higher-level teaching assistant leads these sessions. The garden provides another focus: early years children tend vegetables and plants, alongside playing outside in wet weather. Outdoor learning has a place beyond an occasional outing.
The EYFS curriculum follows Development Matters. In practical terms here, staff organise activities indoors and outside, watch how children’s learning develops and use those observations to decide the next steps. Evidence Me records learning moments through the year, helping the team identify gaps and adjust its planning for the following term.
Adult conversation matters too. In January 2026, early years staff knew children’s learning needs closely and introduced vocabulary through their interactions; most children were becoming more confident about using those words across their learning. This gives everyday activities a language-building purpose.
The mixed early years class also has PSHE activities on Tuesdays and PE on Wednesdays. Handwriting needs attention. The January 2026 inspection called for clearer teaching of letter formation from early years onwards, making this a useful focus when discussing a child’s learning with staff.
Warm relationships are a strength of the early years experience. In January 2026, children’s relationships with adults helped them feel secure and that they belonged. Staff also worked with families and other professionals to recognise additional needs early. For parents, that connects care with understanding how their child learns.
Concerns about learning, development or wellbeing can go first to the class teacher. The teacher and special educational needs coordinator work with families to identify support, put it into practice and review it regularly. Parents are encouraged to share information about their child, so those discussions can draw on experiences at home as well as in class.
Nursery attendance gives admission priority here, but does not guarantee a Reception place. For the September 2026 intake, children attending Bridgewater Park’s nursery at the time of application who wished to transfer came under the second oversubscription criterion, after looked-after and previously looked-after children. The timing condition matters: simply having attended previously is not the stated criterion.
Families must make a separate Reception application through their home local authority. Halton residents use Halton’s preference process; residents elsewhere apply through their own council. The deadline for September 2026 entry was 15 January 2026 and has passed. Nursery membership does not replace that application.
Children can attend for 30 hours per week, with nursery hours of 8:35am to 3:15pm. Breakfast club is also an option from 8:15am, providing an earlier start for families who need it.
Enquiries go to admin@bwp.theheathfamily.org.uk or 01928 244123. A school tour can be arranged through the enquiry form. For Wednesday PE, children in the early years class are asked to wear the correct PE uniform.
Children can join as soon as they turn 3 years old.
Children can attend for 30 hours per week, from 8:35am to 3:15pm. Breakfast club is also available from 8:15am.
Early years children take part in weekly Forest School, play outside in wet weather and care for plants and vegetables in the garden.
No. For September 2026 entry, children in the nursery at the time of application who wished to transfer had priority under the second oversubscription criterion. A separate Reception application was still required, and attendance did not guarantee a place.
Speak to the class teacher first about concerns relating to learning, development or wellbeing. The teacher and special educational needs coordinator work with families to arrange and review support.
