Moorside Community Primary Academy School Nursery Review

Child-led play starts early at Moorside: Little Sparklers serves two-year-olds in its own nursery building, while children who have turned three join the Nursery. Both have indoor and outdoor provision. These are separate classes within the school's early years provision, with close links between them.

Qualified teachers and teaching assistants work in Nursery. A nursery manager leads the provision, with an assistant headteacher overseeing early years, giving the younger classes a shared leadership structure.

Play and short teaching activities sit alongside each other. In Little Sparklers, children choose their play and also join adult-led activities involving counting, early sounds and making marks. Nursery combines activities guided by adults with children's own choices, so the day includes both focused learning and opportunities to pursue an interest.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects learning with everyday development: talking, managing feelings, moving confidently and becoming more independent. Songs, stories and rhymes support conversation; adults help children discuss their ideas and learn new words. Nursery's planned topics include The 5 Senses and Oinks, Barks & Roars, giving those conversations something concrete to explore. The Bug Club programme supports early phonics, while games help children hear how sounds combine into words.

At the inspection on 18 and 19 March 2025, some individual support for early readers across the school needed improvement, and some early readers missed vital learning through absence. The school was asked to improve the quality and frequency of support and continue working with parents on attendance.

Physical learning has specific equipment and materials. Children use an outdoor climbing frame, practise balancing and ride trikes or scooters. Threading, cutting and Dough Disco develop control of smaller movements. Filling containers with water or sand brings handling and carrying into play. Number work includes counting objects, making patterns and exploring shapes, linking mathematical language to things children can manipulate.

Across early years, outdoor learning continues in different weather conditions and includes Forest School. Adult-led teaching is balanced with uninterrupted play chosen by children, and plans can change in response to their interests.

For the youngest children, the key person provides a familiar adult nearby as they begin playing with others. Settling is also a learning focus in Nursery: children practise separating from their main carer, becoming familiar with routines and asking adults for help. Independence develops through practical tasks such as putting on coats, washing hands and managing toileting.

Parents receive Learning Journeys digitally each half term. EvidenceMe lets families contribute experiences from home, connecting what staff see in the setting with what children do elsewhere.

Food is part of the routine. Magic Breakfast provides classroom breakfast for Nursery from 8:30am, with choices including beans, toast, cereals, crumpets and bagels. Nursery children can also have school lunches, which are charged separately and follow a two-week menu rotation.

All staff connected with EYFS have completed paediatric first aid training. For children with SEND, the school's support process involves parents in assessment, planning and termly reviews. The SENCo meets new families whose children have known additional needs before entry, allowing concerns to be discussed before the child starts.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Lancashire Education Authority for the September intake, following the normal application deadline.

For entry in September 2027, priority at the fourth oversubscription criterion applies to Moorside Nursery children receiving the early years pupil premium, pupil premium or service premium. Attendance alone does not confer that priority. Families should distinguish this conditional admissions benefit from the everyday links between classes.

Nursery and Reception share some continuous provision, giving children opportunities to use learning activities across the two classes. Separately, a personal induction programme can be agreed with parents and staff if the move into school proves distressing.

For three- and four-year-olds, Moorside offers 15 funded hours, alongside 30-hour provision for eligible working parents. Nursery staff or the main office can check eligibility. Contact the school for current charges.

Uniform combines a white polo shirt with a black jumper or cardigan and grey or black trousers, a skirt or a pinafore. Children starting in Pod or Nursery receive a jumper or cardigan free.

General enquiries go through the school office on 01695 722931. Families can also arrange a school visit by calling that number.