Canon Sharples Nursery Review

Sunflowers, vegetable cooking and minibeast investigations give Canon Sharples’ nursery learning a practical flavour. Children explore growth through things they can plant, observe and use, linking classroom activities with learning outdoors. There is plenty to talk about along the way.

The nursery belongs to Canon Sharples Church of England Primary School and Nursery in Whelley, Wigan, where provision starts at age three. Its Christian setting emphasises respect, friendship, trust, peace, love and fellowship.

Sunshine and Sunflowers is one named nursery project. Children plant herbs, vegetables and sunflowers, create gardens and investigate the small creatures living in them. Learning about produce from different countries connects with cooking activities using fruit and vegetables. Seasonal work also introduces summer and sun safety. These are concrete ways to connect new words and ideas with practical experiences.

Movement has its own place. A PE specialist works on kicking, catching, throwing and aiming, while the daily mile brings physical activity into the school day. Number learning uses games and songs, alongside counting, patterns, position and comparisons of quantities. The emphasis is on doing as well as listening.

Stories and sound play are substantial ingredients. Nursery literacy activities develop coordination, communication and listening, with rhymes, poems and action songs alongside stories. The Sunshine and Sunflowers project also includes introducing letter sounds through RWI. In July 2023, Ofsted found that nursery children enjoyed verse and singing, and that children across the nursery and Reception classes sustained their attention during activities.

MiniMash connects classroom learning with home activities through each child’s login. Families are also encouraged to help with a project linked to the nursery’s topic, giving children another opportunity to practise skills and share what they have learned.

A nursery teacher and teaching assistants form the classroom team. Across the school, the Thrive Approach supports children’s emotional and social development. For families, this places emotional needs alongside the practical learning described above.

Mellors Catering provides school meals, and the early-years lunchtime runs from noon until 1.10pm. Cooking within the nursery’s project work gives food a learning role too, as children explore ingredients rather than encountering them only at mealtimes.

Parents can contact the SENCO through the school’s enquiry email. Safeguarding concerns can be raised with a designated safeguarding lead; staff must record concerns and pass them on immediately. The school may work with external agencies, discussing concerns with parents first wherever possible unless that would put a child’s safety at risk.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application, and Wigan Council’s School Placement Team handles Reception admissions. Treat that application as a distinct task when planning your child’s next step: being part of the nursery does not remove the need to apply again through the normal route.

Nursery applications go directly through the school office. Contact the team on 01942 776188 or email enquiries@canonsharples.wigan.sch.uk to enquire about joining.

For uniform questions, the school office is also the contact point. Nursery updates and reminders are shared through @CanonNursery, giving parents a route for following class activity alongside the MiniMash learning children can explore at home.