Offley Primary Academy Nursery Review

Familiar stories and repeated practice give Offley’s nursery its clearest character. Children join in with books they recognise, while activities give them time to develop new skills. The nursery sits within the academy’s Early Years provision on Offley Road in Sandbach, bringing preschool learning into the school setting.

At the inspection on 8 and 9 October 2024, Ofsted graded early years provision Good. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Story time gives children an active part in the session. In October 2024, nursery children enjoyed adults’ expressive reading and contributed to familiar stories. Listening is only part of the experience: joining in lets children participate in a shared activity rather than simply hear a book read aloud.

Practice matters here too. Early years children were achieving well in October 2024, with activities that helped them repeat new skills and develop proficiency. They approached learning positively. For parents, the useful distinction is the opportunity to revisit learning: an activity gives children something to practise, rather than being an isolated experience.

Behaviour expectations begin in the Nursery Year. Children learn how to behave from this early stage, making learning routines part of their nursery experience alongside stories and skill development.

Curriculum continuity. In October 2024, links between early years learning and Key Stage 1 needed greater clarity in several subjects. Children consequently had a weaker foundation for some Year 1 learning. This is a relevant consideration for families thinking beyond the nursery year.

Preschool teaching and early years leadership are combined in a vice-principal’s role. The wider EYFS team includes teaching assistants, and preschool also has an apprentice SEN support worker. These are distinct teaching, leadership and support roles, rather than evidence of a particular staffing ratio.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the academy provides teaching adapted to children’s needs and access to its curriculum. A SEND coordinator can be reached through the school office on 01270 449560. This gives families a direct contact for discussing their child’s support. The school also has a Family Support Officer.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Cheshire East School Admissions and meet the deadline for their application cycle. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.

The application window running from 1 September 2025 to 15 January 2026 is now past. Those dates should not be treated as an open application period. Familiarity with the academy’s Early Years setting does not replace the Reception application process.

The booking model is fixed around funded hours. The 30-hour pattern runs Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm. For 15 hours, families take either Monday and Tuesday plus Wednesday morning, or Thursday and Friday plus Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday half-day collection is at 11.45am; afternoon drop-off is at 12pm.

Session flexibility. Only funded sessions are offered, with no top-up sessions because of capacity and numbers. Families need to fit their plans around these patterns. Once the sessions are booked, the nursery remains full until the following September.

September is usually the only intake, although an occasional vacancy may arise and a waiting list is maintained. To register, email offleyadmin@sbmat.org for the necessary form. Places cannot be confirmed immediately, so joining the waiting list should not be treated as a confirmed booking.