St. Peter's Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Play, building projects and programmable toys give this nursery its character, within a Catholic primary school in Stalybridge. St. Peter's takes children from age 3, with 26 nursery places for the school year beginning September 2026. The nursery is part of the school on Hough Hill Road, rather than a separate childcare setting.

A morning place can be extended into an afternoon, with funded provision for eligible families or chargeable wraparound care. That makes the length of the day a practical part of the choice, alongside the school's Catholic identity.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines adult-led learning with play. Here, imaginative activities, construction and outdoor learning give children ways to practise talking, solving problems and playing together. The school aims to develop independence and creativity through those experiences, so learning extends beyond sitting down for a lesson.

Essential Letters and Sounds is the nursery's phonics programme. Computing uses Kapow Primary, with programmable toys introducing nursery children to practical digital activities. These are named elements alongside the broader play-based approach, rather than a day organised solely around formal teaching.

Mornings run from 8:55am to 11:55am. Nursery children have a break from 10:30am until 10:45am; children staying longer eat lunch between 11:55am and 12:25pm, with collection by 3:15pm. A packed lunch is part of the longer-day routine, so families need to prepare for more than the morning session.

Teachers and teaching assistants work in the early years classes. Before the January intake, a December 2025 new-starter event gave children time in nursery and parents a meeting afterwards. It was an opportunity for both child and family to become familiar with the setting before starting.

Every nursery child receives a morning drink and snack. A voluntary weekly contribution supports these, alongside nursery resources and experiences. Children attending extended provision or afternoon wraparound bring a packed lunch that must meet the school's packed-lunch requirements.

For additional needs, families can speak to the class teacher or SEND co-ordinator. The school's support process uses a personal 4+1 plan, with short-term targets and reviews each half term involving families. Its Oasis space provides a quieter environment with reduced stimulation for children who benefit from it, and is also used for nurture groups and interventions. Those arrangements give parents specific routes for discussing support, rather than relying on a general promise of inclusion.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority; for Tameside families, the normal application window runs from November to 15 January before the September start. The 2026–27 Reception criteria give no priority for nursery attendance. Choosing the nursery therefore requires a separate decision and application for school entry.

The school describes summer-term afternoon wraparound as preparation for Reception, whether children move to St. Peter's or another school. That is preparation for a longer day, not an admissions advantage.

Both morning and full-day nursery sessions operate Monday to Friday. From September 2026, the funding structure combines 15 universal hours with an additional 15 hours for eligible families. Parents supply their eligibility code, complete the funding paperwork and reconfirm eligibility every three months. Funded extended provision expects daily attendance unless a child is unwell.

Chargeable afternoon wraparound is for families who are not eligible for the additional funded hours and is subject to space. Parents select the weekdays they wish to book. Payments are weekly through Arbor, and cancellation requires a month's written notice. Ask the school for current charges.

Breakfast and after-school care take place in the school hall, with nursery children able to attend from 7:30am and after nursery until 6:00pm. Nursery uniform includes a yellow polo shirt and navy sweatshirt or cardigan; navy jogging pants are an option, and children need wellington boots.

For enquiries or a nursery visit, contact the office on 0161 338 3303 or office@stpetersstalybridge.co.uk. If afternoon collection will be late, inform staff; the nursery collection deadline is 3:15pm.