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Nursery at St Raphael's Catholic 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play indoors and outdoors, Dough Disco and Catholic celebrations give this nursery its character. St Raphael's welcomes children from three, with nursery provision housed in a separate early years unit within the school grounds in Millbrook, Stalybridge. The nursery admission number for the school year beginning September 2026 is 26.
Catholic practice reaches into children's activities. In May 2026, nursery children crowned the statue of Our Lady and made flowers alongside Year 3. For families choosing this provision, faith is part of the child's experience from the nursery stage.
Morning nursery runs from 8:45am to 11:45am. Children then leave or stay for afternoon provision, making the midday collection point an important part of planning the family day. Those staying can have lunch before continuing into the afternoon.
Learning takes place through play, with activities planned both outdoors and inside to encourage independence. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum follows Development Matters. In parent terms, this brings together learning about feelings and relationships, talking and listening, movement, books, numbers, creativity and the world around children. Dough Disco supports motor skills, giving physical development a named activity alongside the broader curriculum.
Ofsted's inspection on 4 and 5 July 2024 described early years learning built around stories, songs and rhymes, with books supplying ideas for activities. Familiar routines also begin in early years, helping children understand the pattern of their day. Religious education uses The Vine and the Branches, so Catholic learning sits alongside the other EYFS areas.
Teaching consistency. The July 2024 findings also raised concerns across the school about incomplete content in some subjects, unclear explanations and insufficient checks of understanding. These were school-wide concerns, rather than findings specifically assigned to nursery; families should keep that distinction in mind alongside the early years detail.
Tapestry gives EYFS parents and carers a way to stay in contact during term time and access activities for home. That creates a practical link between the child's learning and family life. The nursery application form also asks about health concerns and additional support needs, allowing families to share relevant information before their child starts.
In July 2024, Ofsted found that additional needs were recognised from the beginning of early years, with staff, parents and professionals working together to provide timely support. The curriculum's SEND focus includes communication and language delay.
Children staying for lunch may bring food from home or have a school dinner. The June 2017 wraparound terms provide for staff to discuss settling difficulties with parents and work towards a solution. If a child remains unsettled, those terms allow a pause in wraparound attendance until the child is older. Families considering afternoons should understand that condition before committing.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority, using its Common Application Form. For Tameside residents, the school's admissions page directs applications to Tameside Council.
The 2026-27 Reception arrangements give no priority for nursery attendance. For September 2026 entry, the application deadline was 15 January 2026; that date belongs to a completed admissions cycle.
Longer days have a separate transition purpose. The wraparound terms describe summer-term attendance as preparation for Reception at St Raphael's or another school. Becoming used to an afternoon is preparation for the next stage, not an admissions advantage.
The nursery offers universal provision of 15 hours and extended provision of 30 hours for eligible families. The 2026-27 policy places universal entitlement from the term after a child's third birthday. Afternoon wraparound is also offered where parents do not qualify for the extended entitlement.
Wraparound registration involves choosing weekday sessions and returning the form to the office; places depend on availability. Collection is by 3:15pm, and the registration form asks families to identify who will collect their child. School dinners and paid wraparound have separate charges: contact the office for current charges.
Nursery applications go directly to the school. Visits can be arranged by appointment on 0161 338 4095 or through admin@st-raphaels.tameside.sch.uk.
St Raphael's welcomes children from three years old. Its 2026-27 policy places universal funded entitlement from the term after the third birthday, with places subject to the admission arrangements.
Morning nursery runs from 8:45am to 11:45am. Children are collected then unless staying for afternoon provision.
Yes. Extended provision is offered to families eligible for 30 hours, and paid wraparound is also offered where parents do not qualify. Wraparound places are subject to availability, with collection by 3:15pm.
Children staying for lunch can bring a packed lunch or have a school dinner. Contact the school office for current meal charges.
No. A separate application to the home local authority is required, and nursery attendance gives no priority under the 2026-27 Reception arrangements.
