Dixons Silver Springs Primary Nursery

Play dough, listening games and outdoor balancing give this nursery its character: children practise using their hands, finding their voices and doing things for themselves. Nursery belongs to the school's Early Years Foundation Stage, with its own nursery staff team, at Dixons Silver Springs Primary on School Crescent in Stalybridge.

Ofsted judged the early years provision Good at the inspection on 5 and 6 July 2022. Children in nursery showed sustained concentration and enthusiasm, giving a concrete picture of how they engaged with learning at that time.

Stories and songs are regular ingredients of the day. Daily phonics activities involve listening and musical instruments, while the Reading Spine gives books a planned place in nursery learning. This early work centres on hearing sounds and enjoying language. In July 2022, children in the early years enjoyed being read to and were developing an interest in books and language.

The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum provides the framework: early learning builds foundations through play, alongside focused activities led by a teacher each day. Children can explore indoors and outside. Sand and water offer opportunities to experiment; painting, glue and scissors give them ways to create. Writing lists and letters brings early writing into the mix, rather than leaving it as an isolated task.

A home corner and miniature play toys make room for pretend play. Outside, children develop balance using bikes, a slide and climbing apparatus. Sharing toys and waiting for turns also form part of the learning. These are practical social experiences, alongside the listening and creative work.

The July 2022 findings also included school-wide concerns about the sequence of learning in a small number of subjects and checks on existing knowledge in a few subjects. Those concerns were not identified as nursery-specific weaknesses.

Independence starts with everyday care: children serve themselves snacks and drinks, and practise putting on coats and aprons. These small tasks give them opportunities to manage their own needs alongside learning activities.

Seesaw connects families with the nursery day through messages, photographs and videos. Parents can also send questions or information back, making communication a two-way exchange rather than simply receiving updates.

The school has SENCOs as well as its nursery team. In July 2022, staff recognised children's possible special educational needs and/or disabilities and assessed individual needs carefully to inform support. Safeguarding arrangements were effective at that time; staff received repeated updates, and leaders' knowledge of children and families helped them recognise when support might be needed.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, using Tameside Council's admissions route. Choosing nursery and applying for Reception are separate decisions: parents should complete the Reception application by the normal deadline, even when their child already attends nursery here.

Morning nursery runs from 8.45am to 11.45am; the afternoon session runs from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. These give families two distinct session windows to consider when arranging work and collection.

The school's wraparound offer covers Reception through Year 6, so families should plan around the nursery session times. For a nursery enquiry, call 0161 338 2475, email info@dixonssp.com or use the school's enquiry form. Those routes provide a direct way to register interest in the provision.