St Joseph's Reddish Nursery Review

Friendship bracelets, a register taken in Spanish and early experiments with mark making give this nursery its own character within St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School, Reddish. Catholic life includes practical activities: nursery children have made bracelets for one another while learning about friendship. Ideas become things children can make and share.

The nursery class caters for children aged three to five, with 60 places and both full-time and part-time education. It belongs to the school's early-years provision on Higginson Road in Stockport. An Early Years play area gives younger children a physical space for play within the school grounds.

Language starts with exploration. Nursery children try mark making and investigate the words around them, with the school aiming to develop independence and expression. Taking the register in Spanish adds another language to a familiar routine. These are concrete starting points for children beginning to connect speech, marks and meaning.

Early-years maths combines teaching together, activities guided by an adult and play outdoors as well as indoors. Adults help children explore and discuss mathematical ideas from their own perspective. A Working Wall in the nursery classroom provides reminders of current learning, with images, vocabulary and sentence starters giving children something to refer back to.

Science also reaches outdoors. Within early years, exploring science forms part of learning about the world, giving children opportunities to investigate beyond the classroom. Physical learning includes ball skills, gymnastics, games and dance in the nursery and Reception programme.

Creative work connects with learning about faiths, too. Nursery examples include making Divali candles and decorating handprints using Henna patterns. Alongside the friendship bracelets, these activities make social and cultural learning tangible rather than leaving it solely as conversation.

Support for families extends beyond the class team. The school's Family and Learning Engagement Officers work with teachers and parents on emotional, social and behavioural difficulties. Parents can begin by discussing concerns with the class teacher; a referral can then lead to individual support or group work, depending on the child's needs.

For SEND enquiries, families have a direct contact at sendteam@sjsmrcps.co.uk. The school also connects families with Stockport's Local Offer, covering education, care and health services. This gives parents a route into discussions about additional needs and wider support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the deadline for the relevant entry year.

For Stockport residents, the route is through Stockport. Families living in Tameside apply for Reception through Tameside, even though their nursery application goes through Stockport. Keep the two applications distinct when planning the next step.

Children can start nursery in September, January or at Easter after turning three. Full-time and part-time education provide different attendance options.

The school office handles enquiries by telephone on 0161 432 5689 or by email at admin@stjosephsreddish.org. A contact form provides another way to send an enquiry.