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Nursery at Willow Tree 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Books, colour matching and first marks give Willow Tree’s nursery its character: an introduction to learning through language and making things. Children join in September following their third birthday. The nursery belongs to Willow Tree Primary School in Langworthy, Salford, so this is provision within a primary school rather than a separate childcare setting.
At the Ofsted inspection on 15 and 16 October 2024, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separate nursery inspection.
Reading starts with preparation, rather than a rush into formal decoding. In October 2024, nursery children spent time with selected books and practised skills needed before learning phonics, the relationship between sounds and written letters. Books therefore have a purpose beyond story time: they introduce children to the foundations of reading.
Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the school uses Pathways to Write, a programme organised around books, repeated practice and opportunities to write. Word Aware supports vocabulary development alongside it. For parents, the emphasis is on building language as well as beginning to put ideas on paper. Early handwriting work starts with developing control of both small and larger movements.
Art has concrete nursery goals. Children learn to match colours, make marks on different surfaces and create things using their hands and tools. These are practical starting points for drawing and making, with room to explore materials rather than simply reproduce a finished picture. The school also introduces exploration of how things move during EYFS.
Handwriting development. In October 2024, teaching the knowledge needed for handwriting, including in early years, required further refinement, alongside staff expertise. This is a relevant consideration for families weighing the nursery’s early writing approach.
Independence grows through routines. In October 2024, early years children learned classroom routines quickly and followed them, helping them become more independent. Their attitudes to learning were positive.
Across the school, support roles include learning mentors, learning support assistants and a parent support officer. Family involvement also has a nursery-specific example: Nursery Valentines Events for parents took place on 11 and 12 February 2026. These brought parents into the nursery’s calendar, alongside learning at home.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions; a nursery place should never be taken as confirmation of a later school place.
Contact the school office on 0161 509 6232 or email office@willowtree.salford.sch.uk for nursery enquiries. The school address is 2 Greenland Street, Salford, M6 5TJ.
The 2026–2027 school calendar includes an autumn half-term ending on Friday 23 October, with reopening on Monday 2 November. These dates help families plan around the school calendar.
At home, the school asks nursery families to spend 10 minutes each night on reading activity and conversation about books. That gives parents a specific, manageable way to take part in their child’s learning.
Children join in September after their third birthday.
Nursery children engage with selected books and practise skills that prepare them for learning phonics.
Nursery goals include matching colours, making marks on paper and other surfaces, and making things with hands and tools.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process.
Call 0161 509 6232 or email office@willowtree.salford.sch.uk.
