Fiddlers Lane Community Primary School Nursery Review

Stories, conversation and purposeful play shape the early years at Fiddlers Lane. Children can start nursery from age three, joining the school's own provision in Irlam. The EYFS lead also teaches nursery and Reception, placing nursery within a shared early years teaching structure.

The school aims to develop independence and confidence in communication. Those ambitions have practical expression in storytelling, role play and adults helping children explain their ideas. The school's Ofsted rating is Requires Improvement; this is a whole-school judgement, not a separate nursery grade.

Adult-guided activities sit alongside play that children choose themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum covers seven areas of learning, with Development Matters guiding the approach. In everyday terms, children learn through talking, investigating, moving and making, as well as through teaching led by adults. Daily maths and phonics sessions give the day some structure.

Language runs through the activities. Puppets, songs and circle time give children different ways to practise listening and speaking; adults discuss books, characters and pictures with them. Quiet areas provide another setting for conversation. This gives a child opportunities to communicate in a small group as well as during shared activities.

Physical learning extends outdoors. Bikes, scooters, obstacle courses and balance beams give children ways to practise coordination, while cutting, threading, tweezers and playdough exercise hands and fingers. These are practical foundations for managing everyday tasks and beginning to write. Indoors and outdoors both form part of the learning environment.

Alfa Music provides music lessons within early years, and Manchester United and Kickstart lead PE sessions. Creative exploration also includes mixing colours, making models and using props to develop stories. Children have things to do with their bodies, hands and imaginations throughout the curriculum.

Half-term themes include Marvellous Me, Signs of Spring and Once Upon a Time, linking activities across the early years curriculum. Stories and experiences give children a shared subject to explore through different kinds of play. Adults observe children as they learn and use what they notice to plan the next steps, allowing activities to respond to individual development.

Settling begins before admission: new nursery children receive a home visit, and new parents can join play and stay sessions. These provide contact with staff before the nursery routine begins. Parent communication includes Class Dojos, meetings and EYFS stay and play days, giving families several ways to take part.

For children needing additional help, the school's support may include Wellcomm EYFS language intervention and speech and language programmes delivered by an ELKLAN-trained teaching assistant. SEND support is reviewed with parents at least termly through an Individual Support Plan. That gives families regular opportunities to discuss targets and the help their child receives.

Emotional development has practical space in the day too. Stories, mindfulness and calm spaces are used to help children recognise feelings and practise managing them. The school handles its own catering, with parents able to choose meals together with their child through ParentPay. Choosing together brings families into the lunch routine.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Salford's online primary admissions route, following the normal application deadline. Treat this as a fresh application, even if your child already attends nursery.

For children with SEND, the school's transition arrangements include sharing information with the next teacher or setting, agreeing with parents and pupils what will be passed on. This concerns continuity of support; it does not secure admission.

Nursery applications are managed by Salford LA through its online nursery admissions route. For school enquiries, call 0161 921 1700 or email fiddlerslane@prestoleetrust.org. Prospective parents can arrange a school tour and meet the headteacher.

Parents bring nursery children inside the building for both drop-off and collection. The staff car park is not for parents' use. Allow time for the indoor handover at drop-off and collection.