St Matthew's Church of England Primary School Nursery

Indoor and outdoor learning, with a teacher-led class and a choice of 15 or 30 hours, gives this nursery its shape. St Matthew's Church of England Primary School in Edgeley, Stockport, takes nursery children from 3 years old. The provision sits within a Church of England primary school, rather than operating as a separate nursery.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 27 and 28 June 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Learning crosses the classroom boundary. Inside and outdoors, children have opportunities for early sound work, physical activity, creative learning and maths. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) here brings those experiences together, with the school aiming to help children use newly learned skills independently. The outdoor learning area is part of that provision, rather than simply a place for a break.

Language is a stated priority from nursery onwards. The school places emphasis on early vocabulary, giving parents a useful focus when talking with staff about their child's development. A story-based early years workshop on 8 October 2025 explored identity and belonging, an example of learning about the world through stories.

In June 2023, children in early years showed a willing approach to learning and gradually sustained their attention for longer. However, the inspection identified uneven staff expertise in some learning areas, leaving some children short of the understanding needed for their next stage. This is a material point for families weighing the curriculum alongside the hours offered.

Additional support follows a school-wide structure involving the special educational needs and disabilities coordinator and SEND team. Small groups or individual time may be used where needed, including help with social skills and emotional wellbeing. Specialist involvement can include the Inclusion Team, speech and language therapists or Sensory Support Service; referrals are discussed with parents.

Support is reviewed each term through Assess, Plan, Do, Review. Parents help determine the level of provision, so support planning involves the family rather than ending with an initial assessment. Communication also includes two parents' evenings each year and an annual written account of progress. Education, Health and Care Plans receive a formal annual review, with more frequent discussions where a child's needs require them.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families need a separate Reception application through Stockport School Admissions. Treat this as a fresh application, rather than an automatic move within the school.

For the September 2026 Reception intake, the closing date was 15 January 2026. That admissions cycle is past. The application route is Stockport Council's school admissions service, which allocates places at St Matthew's.

Both 15-hour and 30-hour provision are offered. The teacher-led nursery provides the full 30 hours during term time, across 38 weeks. All 3 and 4 year olds have the 15-hour funded entitlement; 30 funded hours depend on eligibility, which families can check through Childcare Choices.

Paid nursery top-ups are booked through the School Spider app. A full day runs from 8.50am to 3.00pm; half-day top-ups run from 8.50am to noon or noon to 3.00pm. An additional charged period extends attendance from 3.00pm to 3.20pm. Ask the school for current charges.

Breakfast club starts at 7.45am, while the after-school club runs from 3.20pm to 6pm, extending the childcare options around the nursery day. For nursery enquiries, contact the office on 0161 474 7110 or email admin@cdatstmatthewsprimary.co.uk.