St Mary's CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Water play, construction and daily outdoor learning give this teacher-led nursery its shape. At St Mary's CofE Primary School in Sale, children can join in the term after turning three. The nursery forms part of the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with its classroom next to Reception and some staff and facilities shared between them.

A qualified teacher organises a mixture of activities children choose themselves and focused teaching. This gives families a school-based nursery experience with room for independent exploration. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 21 and 22 March 2023; that judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection.

Children move between their own interests and adult-led learning. Classroom areas include role play, sand and water, alongside writing materials, small-world play and construction on different scales. These are the nursery's continuous provision: spaces children can use to explore and practise, rather than learning only through a sequence of taught tasks.

The EYFS brings together language, physical development and learning to manage feelings and relationships. It also includes early mathematics and literacy, creative expression and discovering how the world works. Here, that means a session can combine building, imaginative play and conversation with more focused teaching. Outdoor learning happens daily, with Forest School practices introduced by a trained member of the foundation-stage team. Outdoor activity is part of learning itself.

Reading begins with shared enjoyment. In March 2023, nursery children enjoyed stories, singing and rhymes. Phase 1 phonics starts in Nursery, while Floppy’s Phonics is the school's named phonics programme. Reading Buddies pairs Nursery with Year 3, giving younger children another opportunity to share books with older pupils.

Think Equal is used in the nursery. The school's Christian character also shapes its approach to reflection: Windows and Mirrors encourage children to notice the world around them and think about their responses. These provide a named framework for curiosity and discussion.

Settling begins with contact between home and the foundation-stage team. Staff visit the homes of children starting Nursery at the beginning of the school year. Families can also join their child for EYFS play-and-learning sessions, connecting classroom experiences with things they can do together at home.

Parents contribute to their child's thinking book and share development through Seesaw. Wider school messages arrive through Arbor, and meetings with staff can be arranged through the office. There are several ways to keep the conversation going beyond a brief exchange at collection.

Development is tracked, with teaching staff meeting regularly to plan support. The school follows the SEND Code of Practice where conventional classroom provision cannot meet a child's needs. That makes individual support part of the planning process.

Nursery children can have a hot dinner for an additional charge. Meals are prepared on site, with some vegetables and herbs supplied by the school's kitchen garden. Foundation-stage children receive fruit at morning break, and classroom drinking water is available. Meat Free Monday means the menu is vegetarian that day.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Trafford's coordinated admissions process, completing the Trafford Primary Application Form by the normal Reception deadline.

Classroom proximity is useful for familiarity, separately from admission. Nursery and Reception share facilities and some staff, so children who later gain a place have already encountered parts of the building, routines and team. That practical continuity should be understood as transition support, rather than a promise of admission.

The nursery day runs from 8:35am to 3:15pm. Term-time wraparound care can extend attendance from 7:35am to 6pm across five days a week. Nursery children receive priority for the school's breakfast and after-school provision, but nursery and club places remain subject to availability.

Funding covers 15 hours, or up to 30 hours for qualifying parents. Flexible additional hours are chargeable, as are nursery hot dinners. Ask the school for current charges when agreeing an attendance pattern.

Angels Breakfast & After School Club provides snacks and indoor and outdoor play, with access to the Millennium Garden and Outdoor Play Equipment. For families needing longer days, this adds a separate play-based element around nursery hours.

A school sweatshirt and dark jog pants are the suggested nursery clothing. Enquiries go through the school office at office@st-marys.trafford.sch.uk or 0161 973 5030. Parents can book a school tour through the admissions page's booking form.