Hanley St Luke's Church of England Academy Nursery

Thirty hours of nursery education each week gives play and early learning substantial space at Hanley St Luke's. Free full-time places start in September, with free Rising Three places offered later in the year. The nursery sits within a Church of England primary academy in Hanley, part of Three Spires Trust, and its school-readiness work focuses on children aged 3 to 4.

Family contact extends beyond the nursery class. Big Cup, a free group for parents with babies or toddlers, meets in the nursery on Thursdays, 9.30am to 11.30am. Children can play together while adults chat over a drink and snack. It gives families a way to spend time in the nursery together.

Play shapes the day. Children choose some activities themselves, adults introduce others, and staff join in to support learning. Individual work, small groups and class activities sit alongside that play, so children experience both making their own choices and taking part with others. Learning uses outdoor and indoor environments, with exploration and experimentation part of the approach.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects physical development, communication and managing feelings with early reading, mathematics, creativity and discovering the world. In parent terms, that means learning to listen and talk, share and take turns, become more independent, and enjoy stories, shapes and numbers. These are everyday skills as well as preparation for school.

Supersonic Phonic Friends brings woodland characters, actions and rhymes into early phonics. Mathematics teaching begins its mastery approach in nursery, combining practice with reasoning and solving problems. Early-years technology includes BeeBots and iPads, with staff demonstrating careful use and setting challenges. These concrete tools give children something to explore and try out.

Physical activity happens daily in the Foundation Stage. Nursery children also receive a swimming lesson each week over six weeks, adding a different setting for movement and learning.

Independence receives practical attention. Early-years personal and social learning includes support with getting dressed, eating and using the toilet, alongside opportunities to join small social groups. Families must provide spare uniform for children in Foundation Stage, so a change of clothes is ready when needed.

Food support includes daily fruit for EYFS children and Magic Breakfast for all children, with crumpets, bagels and toast. Drinking water is available for bottle refills throughout the day. For medical diets, Taylor Shaw's catering team and dietitians arrange an alternative menu whenever this can be done safely. That qualification matters for families managing allergies.

For additional needs, the class teacher is the first contact. The SEND team helps teachers create Learning Plans with individual targets and works with specialists such as occupational therapists and speech and language therapists. Parents can discuss support through a Dojo message, email or telephone, giving them several routes into the conversation.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through their home local authority. Stoke-on-Trent residents use the council's application service; families paying council tax elsewhere use that council's form, even when applying to Hanley St Luke's.

Preparation for the next stage includes practising self-care, listening, sharing and expressing feelings. Parents are encouraged to support this at home through stories, counting games and independent dressing. This preparation is separate from the allocation of school places.

The nursery's full-time offer is 30 hours weekly, and attendance is term time only. The early education entitlement is 570 hours across at least 38 weeks, equivalent to 15 hours a week; the school's free full-time nursery offer goes beyond that weekly figure.

For enquiries, contact office@hanleystlukes.com or telephone 01782 234390. Families can arrange a school visit through the office. Label uniform with your child's name and supply a spare set. Free second-hand uniform is also available, providing a practical option for families equipping a growing child.