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Nursery at Holy Family Catholic 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Daily outdoor access and play shaped by children's interests give Holy Family's nursery its character. This is the nursery class within Holy Family Catholic Primary School on Old Hall Road in Sale Moor, with a class teacher and teaching assistant in the EYFS team. Catholic values form part of the early years curriculum, including its emphasis on spiritual and moral development.
Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 6 and 7 October 2022. That judgement covers the foundation stage within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Play carries the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum combines activities guided by adults with those children initiate themselves. Staff use children's interests to extend their thinking, so their choices help shape what happens next. Seven connected areas of development organise the curriculum, rather than a timetable built solely around separate subjects.
A Growth Mindset approach encourages children to persevere when something proves difficult and to try their own ideas. Named curriculum resources include WELLCOMM and White Rose Maths. The emphasis is on exploring, sustained effort and thinking through possible solutions: children practise how to learn alongside what they learn.
The outdoor learning area is accessible during sessions each day, throughout the year, with adults supervising and interacting with children. Outdoor activity therefore belongs to the learning session rather than being confined to a break. In October 2022, staff used activities effectively to strengthen children's speech and interaction, while helping them practise sharing, waiting for a turn and responding to instructions.
Children settled promptly in the nursery during October 2022. Early years children learning English as an additional language also joined their peers in play and learning quickly. These findings matter for families concerned about the first weeks or about a child communicating in another language at home.
Stay and Play sessions and Mouse club give parents ways to participate. Families contribute achievements through WOW moments, and weekly focus children bring parental observations into planning. A paper learning journey records assessments and is shared with parents, connecting experiences at home with staff's decisions about next steps.
For additional needs, the school's support process uses Trafford's Graduated Approach and an assess, plan, do, review cycle. Parents can raise concerns with the class teacher or contact the SENDCo through the office. School accessibility features include wheelchair access and disabled toilets.
Communication. The October 2022 inspection identified weaknesses in engagement with parents across the school. Families should establish how concerns and updates about their child will be handled.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. A separate application is required: Holy Family directs families to apply both to their home local authority and to the school, with a supplementary form returned to the school office.
For the past admissions cycle advertised on the admissions page, the Trafford portal deadline was 15 January 2026, while the supplementary-form deadline appeared as 15 January 2025. Those dates are past and inconsistent; neither should be treated as a deadline for a future application.
Nursery and Reception staff work together to maintain continuity in the foundation stage. That supports consistency in children's learning, but it is separate from the allocation of places.
Prospective parents are welcome to visit the school. Nursery enquiries can go to the office on 0161 962 5397 or by email to admin@holyfamilysalemoor.co.uk. The admissions page links a nursery supplementary information form and directs families to the office for help registering their child's details.
For curriculum questions, the office passes enquiries to the relevant staff member. This gives families a direct route to discuss the learning described here before choosing the nursery.
No. Reception requires a separate application to the home local authority and to the school, including the school's supplementary form.
Children can access the outdoor learning area daily during sessions throughout the year, with adult supervision and interaction.
Stay and Play, Mouse club, WOW moments and contributions when their child is a focus child provide opportunities to take part. Parents also share in the paper learning journey.
Speak to the class teacher or email the school office, marking the message for the SENDCo. The school uses Trafford's Graduated Approach to plan and review support.
Contact the school office on 0161 962 5397 or admin@holyfamilysalemoor.co.uk. Prospective parents are welcome to visit.
