Grange Community Nursery and Primary School Nursery Review

A school-day rhythm, with care either side, gives Grange’s nursery its practical shape. The nursery day runs from 8:30am to 3:15pm, while Breakfast Club and Fun Club extend the options for families balancing childcare with work. This is the school’s own nursery on Brindley Avenue in Winsford, rather than a separate childcare setting.

Early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 25 and 26 April 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision; it is not a separate nursery inspection outcome.

Language provides a clear starting point for learning. Within the early years foundation stage (EYFS), the early phonics work centres on speaking, listening and noticing surrounding sounds. Children begin learning to combine spoken sounds into words and separate words into sounds. These are foundations for reading, rather than simply exercises in recognising letters.

In April 2023, children in early years benefited from an organised sequence of phonics teaching. The curriculum also built new knowledge on earlier learning and identified vocabulary for children to learn. For parents, the useful connection is between conversation, understanding words and the first steps towards reading.

Learning also extends into the school grounds. Outdoor experiences form part of planning for all learners throughout the year, giving learning a setting beyond the classroom. The early years lunch slot is 11:30am to 12:30pm, providing a practical anchor within the day.

Support includes children who need a different way into learning. In April 2023, staff responded promptly to SEND needs in early years and adjusted teaching so children could participate in the same learning as their peers. Outside agencies contributed where needed. The implication is access to shared learning, with adaptations around the child.

Across the school, Pupil Progress meetings review children’s needs each half term. Extra support does not depend on being on the Special Educational Needs Register. Teachers, teaching assistants and inclusion coordinators contribute, and parents are involved in regular support and transition meetings. This gives families a route into discussing additional help.

Food accompanies the extended care: Breakfast Club includes breakfast, and Fun Club provides a snack alongside activities. The school menu follows a three-week rotation. The nursery application asks about medical conditions, allergies and dietary requirements, making these practical needs part of the information families provide.

Family learning adds another connection with home. Courses include Reading and Story Sacks and Ready, Steady, Play, with the school aiming to help parents support learning and enjoy it alongside their children.

Separate application. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal local authority admissions process and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year. Grange follows local authority admission procedures. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.

Breakfast Club begins at 7:30am; Fun Club runs from 3:15pm to 6:00pm. Both require booking, so these hours need to be planned alongside the nursery day.

The nursery offers 30 hours of government-funded childcare. Funded provision and charged wraparound care are separate considerations; contact the school for current charges. Nursery applications can be completed online, and tours can be arranged through the reception team on 01606 800390.