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Nursery at Holy Family VA RC 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.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 play and a gradual start give Holy Family’s nursery its practical character. Children join in small groups, then spend longer in school as they settle. The nursery belongs to the school’s EYFS Unit in Salford, with its teacher also leading early years and teaching assistants working across the unit.
Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 17 and 18 June 2025. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Language develops through play here. In June 2025, adults in Nursery joined children’s play and encouraged conversation about their activities. This gives children practice expressing ideas while an adult helps develop their language.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings language, personal development and creativity together. Nursery children have a daily Little Wandle session lasting twenty minutes, working on Phase One. Picture books go home in a book bag during the first couple of weeks, and families are expected to share reading every night. Talking about the pictures makes home reading part of the same language work.
Maths concentrates on numbers 1–5, including number facts and forming numerals. Children also investigate shapes in two and three dimensions and words describing position. White Rose is the named maths programme planned for use from September in the 2026 EYFS arrangements.
Outdoor activity continues throughout the year, supported by a covered play area. Changing outdoor clothing and wellingtons is part of learning to manage independently. Inside, each child has a personal peg and tray, giving belongings and work a consistent home. Visits from library staff, dental teams and the road safety team connect learning with people who help children in everyday life.
Settling follows the child’s pace. Small starting groups allow staff to learn about each child and introduce routines before attendance increases individually. The class teacher keeps parents informed. Families can remain to play before lessons begin, and the EYFS Unit welcomes parental involvement in learning.
Food is part of the routine: children receive a school lunch, plus milk and fruit or another snack each morning. Nursery lunches carry a charge unless the child qualifies for free school meals through the family’s circumstances. A snack contribution is requested each half term; contact the school for current charges. Trying different foods also forms part of learning about self-care.
Speech and language therapy is bought in for Nursery children, with therapist-led programmes carried out by ELKLAN-trained teaching assistants. Early years interventions include TALC and Wellcomm. Where a child has an Individual Support Plan, parents contribute their views and receive progress updates every six weeks. This creates a regular point for discussing whether support needs adjusting.
Toileting expectations. Children are expected to be toilet trained before joining Nursery. Families provide labelled spare clothing in a pump bag, so changes can be managed during the day.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer priority under the arrangements for September 2026 entry. Families must make a separate application through Salford City Council, using its online route or a Local Authority Preference Form. Consideration under religious criteria also requires the school’s supplementary form. The deadline for that entry cycle was 15 January 2026; it has passed.
For children who obtain a place, familiar staff and surroundings provide continuity within the EYFS Unit. The school prepares children for the move and builds on their nursery learning. That continuity is a transition benefit, separate from the allocation of places.
Doors open at 8.45am, learning begins at 9am and Nursery finishes at 3pm. An adult must accompany each child to the classroom door. Tell staff when another person will collect, and let the office know about lateness.
Uniform is required, with clothing, shoes and wellingtons labelled. Footwear must be manageable independently: laces are prohibited and Velcro is suitable. Home learning comes through Class Dojo, with topic information each half term.
For enquiries, contact the office on 0161 921 2900 or holyfamily@holyfamilysalford.co.uk. School tours can be arranged by appointment.
Nursery finishes at 3pm. Doors open at 8.45am and the school day starts at 9am.
Children begin in small groups. Their time in school increases individually once they have settled, with updates from the class teacher.
Daily Little Wandle Phase One sessions support early language. Maths focuses on numbers 1–5, shapes and positional language, alongside play and daily outdoor activity.
Yes. Children receive a school lunch and morning milk with fruit or another snack. Nursery lunches are charged unless the child qualifies for free school meals through family circumstances; a half-term snack contribution is also requested.
No. It gives neither a guarantee nor priority under the September 2026 entry arrangements. Reception requires a separate application through Salford City Council, plus a supplementary form for consideration under religious criteria.
