St Hugh of Lincoln RC Primary School Nursery Review

Children’s own stories, book nooks and Forest School give this nursery its character. At St Hugh of Lincoln RC Primary School in Stretford, play sits alongside planned teaching, with children’s interests helping to shape what happens next. The nursery has 26 places across full-time and part-time provision within the Catholic primary school.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good following its visit on 6 and 7 February 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum combines independent play with learning alongside adults and other children. Staff observe children, talk with them and use teacher-led activities to decide their individual next steps. Planned themes provide a starting point, but nursery activities can change in response to children’s interests. This leaves room for a child’s curiosity to influence the day.

Language gets substantial attention. Children invent stories through role play and small-world activities; adults sometimes write down or record their words so they can hear their ideas again. Songs, sound walks and nursery rhymes develop early listening skills. Monster Phonics is the named phonics programme, while Master the Curriculum supports nursery mathematics, including a daily maths input. Lighting the Path provides the religious education scheme.

Reading areas and book nooks give books a physical place in the learning environment. Children make marks indoors and outside, and Forest School takes place on the school grounds. An April 2026 nursery update described seed planting, insect observation and water play, alongside scooters, bikes, stilts and balls. These activities bring movement and exploration into outdoor learning.

Experiences extend beyond the grounds. A nursery visit to Chester Zoo, documented in January 2026, included spotting elephants, monkeys and giraffes. During Diwali activities in October 2025, children made rangoli designs with glitter and paint. These are concrete examples of learning about the natural world and different celebrations through things children can see and make.

Preparing for a start involves cooperation with families and other settings. The early years team encourages this partnership to support transition and additional help where needed. Stay and Play sessions give parents opportunities to join activities, while Tapestry lets families contribute photographs and videos from home. Weekly Nursery News updates explain learning, giving parents something specific to discuss or revisit with their child.

Support for additional needs includes adaptations to the EYFS curriculum and a cycle of assessment, planning, action and review involving parents and outside agencies where needed. Team training includes WELLCOMM, TASS (Trafford Assessment of Speech Sounds) and Lego Therapy. The EYFS lead holds the PgCert National Award for SEN Coordination, and the team works with Trafford’s EY SENAS service. For a child with communication difficulties, these provide named routes for assessing needs and planning support.

Children also practise recognising emotions, managing reactions and resolving disagreements. An optional hot meal is offered; families should refer to the school for current charges.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year. Treat that application as a separate decision from taking a nursery place.

Cooperation between families, staff and other settings supports children’s transition. That educational preparation is distinct from admission to Reception and should not be read as a promise of a place.

The nursery day runs from 8.45am to 3.15pm. Full-time places depend on numbers each year and may be privately paid for or supported through the eligible 30-hour entitlement. Part-time places also form part of the provision.

Funding includes the universal 15-hour entitlement and up to 30 hours for eligible working parents. Funded hours operate within core opening hours, subject to availability and admissions criteria. A valid code is required for the working-parent entitlement, with eligibility reconfirmed when required. Families receive an explanation of the delivery pattern before taking up a place.

For nursery enquiries and an application form, email sthughoflincoln.admin@trafford.gov.uk. At the end of the day, children are collected from the playground; contact the office if delayed.