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Nursery at Grange Valley 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A start at two, with learning planned as part of the school: that is Grange Valley’s nursery proposition. This maintained provision caters for children aged two, three and four in Haydock, on Heyes Avenue. Its governing body manages the nursery, while the staff structure includes an Early Years Team.
The youngest children are included in the educational sequence. In May 2024, Ofsted found that early-years children, including those in the two-year-old provision, were developing secure habits for learning. That gives families a specific finding about the nursery-age experience, rather than a judgement borrowed from older pupils.
Three-hour sessions give the core day its shape: mornings run from 9am to noon, and afternoons from 1pm to 4pm. Longer arrangements are offered for children with 30-hour funding. The distinction matters for families choosing between a short session and more childcare across the day.
Learning is planned to connect from the two-year-old provision onwards. In May 2024, the curriculum had a clear sequence, with staff knowing which knowledge should be introduced and when. For young children, the emphasis is on building learning habits that later teaching can build upon.
Across the wider school grounds, OPAL play zones include a mud kitchen, willow dens and a sandpit. These are concrete features of the school site, separate from the nursery’s session arrangements.
Families considering a place can arrange a school tour and a conversation about their child’s additional needs through the office. This provides a chance to discuss individual needs before joining. The SEND page also connects parents with the St Helens Local Offer and ADDvanced Solutions, which supports families dealing with neurodevelopmental conditions and learning difficulties.
For families choosing school dinners, St Helens Borough Council’s Catering Service supplies the school’s meals. SchoolGrid lets parents order ahead, inspect recipes and message the kitchen. Allergy and intolerance information goes directly to the council catering service through an allergen form, giving families a specific route for communicating dietary needs.
Safeguarding concerns can be raised with the school’s Safeguarding Team by calling the office. Operation Encompass links the school with the local authority and Merseyside Police so that staff can receive information following domestic abuse incidents and offer support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through the normal admissions process. St Helens residents use the council’s admissions route; families living elsewhere apply through their home authority.
For the council’s 2025/26 arrangements, nursery attendance carried no allocation priority. The school’s September 2026 entry information gave a deadline of 15 January 2026, which has passed. Keep the nursery decision separate from the Reception application and follow the timetable for your child’s entry year.
Funded places cover 15 or 30 weekly hours, subject to eligibility, over 38 weeks. The usual pattern divides these into morning or afternoon sessions across five days. Two-year-old childcare spans 8am to 5pm; additional charged wraparound for three- and four-year-olds spans 8am to 6pm. Contact the school for current charges.
Nursery applications can be made throughout the year through the office on 01744 678300. Session details are confirmed after allocation.
Nursery clothing includes blue jogging bottoms, a pale blue polo and a navy cardigan, fleece or jumper. Logos are optional. Dark footwear should be comfortable and grip well. A uniform shop in the school’s front entrance offers donated, washed clothing free to families who need it.
The maintained nursery caters for children aged two, three and four.
Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, and afternoon sessions from 1pm to 4pm. Additional arrangements are offered for children with 30-hour funding.
Two-year-old childcare runs from 8am to 5pm. Three- and four-year-olds can use additional charged wraparound between 8am and 6pm. Contact the school for current charges.
No. A separate Reception application is required. Under the council’s 2025/26 arrangements, nursery attendance did not count towards allocation priority.
Call the office on 01744 678300 to apply for nursery. A school tour and a discussion about your child’s specific needs can also be arranged through the office.
