St David Haigh and Aspull CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Sunflowers, suncatchers and a picnic challenge give this nursery a clear connection to the world outdoors. Nursery children belong to Acorn Class, alongside Reception, at St David Haigh and Aspull CofE Primary School. The school admits children from age three and has a Church of England character.

The setting sits beside Haigh Woodland Park, with the Pennines in view. A hard-surfaced playground and a large field behind the school give the wider site its physical character.

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 25 and 26 January 2023. That judgement covers the school's early years provision; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Acorn's learning takes everyday experiences and turns them into things children can investigate. Sunshine and Sunflowers combines learning outdoors with caring for local plants and animals, plus sun safety. An outdoor walk introduces the project, while planning a picnic gives children a practical challenge. The connection is concrete: children explore their surroundings and consider how to look after themselves and other living things.

Shadows and Reflections takes a different route into discovery. Children investigate echoes, reflections and shadows, exploring what creates a shadow and how it changes. Experiments lead into making suncatchers. This gives abstract ideas a visible, practical form that young children can explore.

Books accompany the projects rather than sitting apart from them. The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Shark in the Park! feature alongside Sunshine and Sunflowers; Little Echo accompanies Shadows and Reflections. Families also have a regular borrowing rhythm, with Acorn library books exchanged on Wednesdays. Tuesday is the class PE day.

Relationships are an evidenced strength of the early years experience. In January 2023, children formed trusting connections with adults and other children quickly. For a child beginning nursery, those relationships matter: the adults and peers around them become part of a familiar social world.

Class Dojo and Facebook carry updates about Acorn learning, giving parents a way to follow classroom activities. For special educational needs and disabilities, the school's SEND coordinator can be reached through the office by telephone or email. This gives families a direct contact route for discussing their child's needs.

Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. School-place applications are made online through Wigan Council.

Acorn brings nursery and Reception children into the same named class. That is a useful feature of the nursery's position within the school, but it must remain separate from the question of admission. Familiarity with the class does not secure the next place.

Uniform applies to children attending part time as well as full time. It combines a pale blue polo with grey trousers, shorts, a skirt or pinafore, and a red cardigan or sweatshirt. Logos are optional on the polo and sweatshirt or cardigan. Black smart shoes complete the everyday uniform.

Acorn children wear PE clothing to school on Tuesdays. Clothing should carry the child's name, and second-hand uniform can be requested. These details help families prepare the everyday kit before starting.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01942 831310 or enquiries@admin.saintdavids.wigan.sch.uk. The school is on Copperas Lane in Haigh, Wigan, WN2 1PA.