Dial Park Primary School Nursery

A Pirate Ship, messy play and year-round outdoor access give Dial Park’s nursery provision a clear emphasis on exploration. At this primary school in Offerton, Stockport, the youngest children join Caterpillars for ages 2–3, alongside the nursery provision for ages 3–4. These are distinct age groups within the school’s Early Years provision.

Language and independence are priorities the nursery sets for children’s everyday learning. For families, that means a focus on learning to communicate and do things for themselves, alongside play. The physical setting includes indoor and outdoor space, with the Pirate Ship giving the Early Years environment a memorable feature.

The Best Balance Approach shapes learning here. Developed by the Early Years team, it combines the school’s curriculum with the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), while making room for children’s interests. In parent terms, planned learning and children’s own ideas both help shape activities across the framework’s seven learning areas. The Curiosity Approach and Hygge in the Early Years also influence how the team arranges the learning environment.

A three-year curriculum connects the Early Years groups. Themes return with a different focus, giving children opportunities to explore familiar ideas in new ways as they grow. Teaching sessions sit alongside learning through play, rather than making the whole day a sequence of adult-led activities.

For Caterpillars, singing, dancing and nursery rhymes accompany an emphasis on physical development and learning new vocabulary. Messy and wet play feature in nursery life too: spare clothes are part of the everyday kit. Outdoor access continues throughout the year, giving children space for physical and social activity. Nursery Forest School has its own site and a team member delivering its outdoor provision; an established routine gives participating children a familiar pattern for these experiences.

For some Caterpillars, this is their first experience of time apart from parents. The group focuses on emotional and social wellbeing, and staff operate an open-door approach to parent contact. Children also spend time with the older nursery group through transition activities before moving into nursery at age 3. That introduces the next group through shared experiences.

Class Dojo carries information about opportunities for parents to join in with their child’s learning, alongside conversations with staff. Help with accessing Dojo is available from the team. Afternoon sessions include lunch, putting a meal within that part of the day.

SEND support connects with the wider school team. The SENCo holds the National SENCo Award and has experience in both nursery and the two-year-old room. The school aims to work with families and outside agencies to meet children’s needs. Partnerships with Portage, Startwell and Offerton Early Years Workers also support families through baby and toddler groups.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet its deadline. Keep that application separate from choosing nursery sessions: familiarity with the school does not secure the next place.

Eligible families can use 15 or 30 funded hours. The 30-hour pattern runs Monday to Friday, 9am–3pm. For 15 hours, the preferred arrangement is a block of 2.5 days: usually Monday and Tuesday plus Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon plus Thursday and Friday. Morning sessions run 9am–12pm; afternoons run 12pm–3pm. Extra sessions through Top Up are offered to families without entitlement to free extended hours; contact the school for current charges.

Visits can be booked. For enquiries, call 0161 483 1445 or email headteacher@dialpark.stockport.sch.uk. Children need a warm coat, sensible shoes with Velcro fastenings and labelled belongings. Leave a named bag containing spare clothing, including underwear and socks, so wet or messy play need not end the day’s activities.