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Nursery at Freshfield Nursery 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.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 mud kitchen, a pond and weekly Nature School give Freshfield's nursery day an outdoor identity. Children can investigate living things, experiment with water and practise balancing or climbing. There is plenty to do with hands and feet.
Freshfield is a local authority nursery school in Heaton Mersey, Stockport, serving children aged two to five. Its provision includes two-year-olds and children aged three and four. This is a nursery school in its own right, with links to primary schools across the Heatons area; the next stage involves moving to another school.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes learning across seven areas. In parent terms, Freshfield builds activities around children's development, relationships and interests, with adults helping them take their next step. Its In The Moment approach means staff respond to what catches a child's attention. OPAL, short for Observation of Play And Learning, tracks development through milestones and gives parents opportunities to discuss progress.
Outside, slopes, bikes, a sand and water area and the mud kitchen provide different ways to explore and move. Each group attends Nature School weekly with a trained Forest School Leader. Fire-making and cooking are part of these sessions. Indoors, children can choose books for themselves, while singing and stories provide shared opportunities to use language.
The July 2024 inspection found that outdoor experiences helped children build persistence, resilience and cooperation. Children explored frog and butterfly development around the pond, climbed trees and toasted marshmallows over a fire. Eco-monitors also took practical responsibility through recycling, making bird boxes and observing wildlife.
Curriculum development. In July 2024, learning sequences needed clearer detail in some subjects, including provision for two-year-olds, so some children were missing intended learning. Adults also needed to encourage more conversation about children's activities and reasoning. These concerns matter alongside the appealing activities: participation needs to lead to learning that children can explain.
A family group gives each child a key person who gets to know them and provides a regular contact for parents. September starts include visits with parents, followed by smaller intake groups. Attendance builds during the opening weeks, with flexibility where parents and staff agree a child needs more time. That makes settling an individual process.
Tapestry carries photographs, videos and messages about learning; Iris Parentmail handles notices and induction information. OPAL spotlight meetings offer another opportunity to discuss development. Fresh fruit and a drink are provided in both the morning and afternoon, supported through the school fund. Families supply packed lunches for full days.
Support includes an Inclusion Manager, Emotional Literacy Support Assistants and a Nurture Specialist. Children can use quieter indoor and outdoor spaces, while Makaton and visual timetables help communication. Support plans are reviewed termly with parental involvement, and specialist referrals require parental agreement. The July 2024 inspection found that additional needs were recognised early, SEND support enabled children to access the same curriculum as their peers, and safeguarding was effective.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline. Choosing Freshfield therefore means planning the next school application separately from the nursery booking.
Transition support is practical. Reception teachers from local primary schools commonly visit before children move on. For children with additional needs, Freshfield contacts the receiving school's SEND coordinator about support and transfers records. These arrangements help the receiving team understand the child; they are separate from securing admission.
Term-time provision includes 15-hour patterns split across two full days and a shorter session. For the main nursery, the first pattern runs Monday and Tuesday, 8.30am to 2.30pm, then Wednesday, 8.30am to 11.30am. The second uses Wednesday and Thursday for full days, then Friday morning. Two-year-olds have a different second pattern: Wednesday, 12.30pm to 3.30pm, followed by Thursday and Friday full days.
Thirty-hour options include weekdays from 8.30am to 2.30pm. The main nursery also offers four-day patterns, Monday to Thursday or Tuesday to Friday, from 8am to 3.30pm, including Breakfast Club. Thirty-hour funded places require eligibility codes renewed termly and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Two-year-old provision includes funded and paid places, but Breakfast Club and After School Club become options only from age three, subject to space.
Booking commitment. The main 30-hour sessions must be booked for at least one full term. Paid extended hours require a half-term booking; extensions using 30-hour funding require a full term. Ad hoc sessions cannot be booked. After School Club extends to 5.30pm. Ask the school for current charges.
Label clothing and provide clothes suitable for daily outdoor play; children should leave jewellery at home. For enquiries, telephone 0161 442 6944 or email admin@freshfield.stockport.sch.uk. Prospective parents can request a nursery tour by email.
The recorded age range is two to five, with provision for two-year-olds and children aged three and four.
September starts include parent-and-child visits and smaller groups during the first weeks. Parents and staff can agree a slower build-up where needed.
Yes, for full days. Freshfield provides fruit and a drink each morning and afternoon, supported through the school fund.
These clubs are not offered for two-year-old places. They become options when a child turns three, subject to availability.
No. Families need to apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process by its deadline.
