We are delighted to have a wonderful nursery provision at Garswood School

• fantastic setting for 3-4 year old children and

• amazing 2 year old provision.

We offer funded places which can be taken flexibly to suit your needs, as well as wrap around care and additional sessions.

7.30 until 5.30pm

The Nursery setting is a large, yet cosy space with extensive indoor and outdoor provision. There are seperate rooms for our two year olds (Acorns) and for the three - four year olds (Oaks).

The staff provide a warm and caring environment whilst being focused on opportunities that will support the children's early learning and development.

A Rich Range of Experiences

• Storytelling, music, and role play to build imagination and language.

• Creative arts and crafts to encourage self-expression.

• Sensory play and construction to develop problem-solving and fine motor skills.

• Outdoor learning that connects children with nature and supports physical development with forest school learning opportunities available all year round.

• Calm spaces for rest and reflection, ensuring balance throughout the day.

An Inspiring Environment

Our provision offers an extensive, well-resourced indoor and outdoor environment designed to spark curiosity and joy.

Indoors, children enjoy spaces for role play, storytelling, music, and creative arts. Outdoors, they explore nature, develop physical skills, and discover the world around them.

Every area is carefully planned to encourage independence, imagination, and confidence.

Care You Can Trust

• Caring, qualified, and experienced staff who provide consistent support and nurture every child’s development.

• Families can choose to send a packed lunch or purchase delicious hot meals prepared daily by our trained cook.

• No hidden costs — nappies are provided as part of our care.

• With flexibility, quality, and care at the heart of everything we do, our 2-year-old provision is the perfect place for your child to begin their learning journey.

Acorns

ages 2-3 years

We are open term time over 38 weeks. We offer funded and paid sessions or a combination of both to suit your childcare requirements, along with the option of splitting your funding with another childcare provider to secure year round care.

Mrs Paige Hamilton

My child feels really safe and happy at school, and that’s all down to the lovely staff. He absolutely loves his teachers, especially Mrs Hamilton - he’s even asked ifs he can come to our house for tea! Everyone is so warm, welcoming and caring, and it’s clear the children feel truly known and valued. The way the staff connect with them makes such a difference, and we’re so grateful for the kindness and support they show every day.

Parent Survey Nov 2025​

Oaks

ages 3-4 years

We are open term time over 38 weeks. We offer funded and paid sessions or a combination of both to suit your childcare requirements, along with the option of splitting your funding with another childcare provider to secure year round care.

Mrs Emma Bellion

My three year old child is always so excited to go to nursery and comes home full of stories about what he’s been doing. It’s lovely to hear him talk so enthusiastically about his day and it really shows how happy he is there. We’re so glad we chose your setting; it’s such a caring and positive environment where he’s clearly thriving.

Parent Survey Nov 2025

30 hours funding

In September 2025 15 hours childcare for working families with children under 3 expanded to 30 hours, meaning eligible working families can now apply for 30 hours of childcare from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age.

This expansion is designed to support your child’s early education and help you better balance work and family life. It’s the final phase of the childcare expansion, which could save families up to £7,500 per year.

• Check if you’re eligible: Working parents in England may be entitled to up to 30 hours childcare per week for children aged 9 months to school age, during term time (38 weeks per year).

What you need to do:

• Apply online via GOV.UK: If you're eligible, apply now for your childcare code – you’ll need this to access your hours.

• Apply by the following dates to access your funding:

  31 August to start using your hours from 1 September

  31 December to start using your hours from 1 January

  31 March to start using your hours from 1 April.

• Speak to your childcare provider: Check that they offer the hours and confirm their arrangements.

• Keep your code up to date: You’ll need to reconfirm your details every 3 months via your GOV.UK account. You’ll get a reminder when it’s time.

Session Fees

Session fees are payable in all cases of non-attendance. We are unable to swap sessions, however, additional sessions can be booked if we can accommodate your requirements.

We ask that any adjustments to hours are requested in writing a term in advance.

Intakes

We have three in takes across the academic year – September, January and April, although you are more than welcome to discuss joining our nursery during one of our terms.

2 Year old Fees

Two-year-old fees will apply for paid sessions until the term after your child’s third birthday.

Food and Contributions

Healthy snacks are provided for 60p per day. Children who are staying all day can either bring a packed lunch or purchase a school meal at the cost of £3.72.

Sometimes we offer extra activities to our Nursery children. We make no charge for these enrichment activities but do ask for voluntary contributions towards the cost.

You are welcome

The Nursery children are welcomed into Nursery every morning, with the chance for parents to chat with the staff and ensure a smooth transition.

Our Nursery provision not only provides a warm, welcoming and caring environment - it also provides children with the best possible start to school life.

School based Provision

Our school based provision allows all children the chance to have quality early development opportunities from highly trained staff. The provision is excellent to prepare children for their Reception year, wherever this may be but especially ideal for those intended to come to Garswood Primary School.

It is a perfect opportunity to settle children into routines. We also work with other childcare providers when parents wish to split their funding across two nursery settings - enabling all  children to benefit from our provision. 

We have found it makes a very positive and significant impact on their wellbeing and achievement. 

To Secure a Place

To secure a place for your child contact the

school office on..

01744 678290

and speak with our School Business Manager or Mrs Kay Wood, our Nursery Administrative Assistant.

It is never too early to put your name on to the list to secure a place. Alternatively, if you would like further information or a tour of the setting, contact the school and speak with...

Mrs Pam Potter, Headteacher

Mrs Sue Bagshaw, Early Years Lead

Best Start In Life

A parent-hub, run by the UK government, offering trusted information and support for parents and carers from pregnancy through to starting school. It covers a broad range of topics: pregnancy, early childhood development, childcare & education, school readiness, and more.

 Family Support Hubs

• Information on “Best Start Family Hubs” — local centres providing parenting classes, counselling, financial advice,

• These hubs will be available in every local authority from April 2026.

Childcare Support Checker

• A tool to find out what childcare help you might be eligible for.

Practical Guidance

• Pregnancy: week-by-week guides.

• Infant Care: advice on breastfeeding, introducing solid foods, and dental care.

• Toddler Development: resources for speech development (“learning to talk”).

• School Readiness: help preparing your child for starting school.

St Helens Council - 15 hours funding

A scheme to provide up to 15 hours per week of funded early education / childcare for some two-year-olds.

The funding is available for 38 weeks of the year. Eligible childcare settings including school pre-schools.

When you apply, you’ll need to provide proof of your child’s identity (birth certificate) when using your passport.

How It Works:

1. Apply: You fill in an online application via St Helens Council.

2. Get a Passport: If approved, the Council sends you a “Passport for 2s” (either by post or email).

3. Use the Passport: You take (or forward) this passport to your chosen childcare provider, along with your child’s birth certificate.

4. Receive Funded Hours: The provider exchanges your passport for up to 15 hours of free early education per week.

Garswood's Instagram account

Garswood Primary School opened it's Intagram account in 2024 and can be followed below, school and Nursery share the key events in our setting through photos and videos

82 posts, 308 followers, 64 following as of Nov 25

Garswood Primary and Nursery School. Account operated by the Headteacher*

Be kind, be ambitious, be respectful

Location & Type: Garswood Primary and Nursery School is a community primary school in Ashton-in-Makerfield, St. Helens.

Age Range: It serves children aged 3–11 (including nursery).

School Mission / Values: According to their website, the school emphasizes a nurturing, family-like environment where children feel safe, grow in confidence, and are inspired to achieve their best.

Culture and Ethos: Their core values include being Kind, Ambitious, and Respectful.

Leadership: The headteacher is Mrs Pamela Potter.

Ofsted: In previous reports, the school was praised for good leadership, high teaching quality, and pupils achieving well.

Nursery Class Web Page:

• Learning is a mix of adult-led structured activities and child-initiated free play.

• Staff observe children and plan activities based on their interests to support development.

• They aim to build confidence, self-esteem, and a positive attitude in children for new challenges.

Activities Offered
The nursery includes a variety of activities, such as:

• Dough Gym / Funky Fingers (for fine motor skills)

• Music & dance, Imaginative play / role-play

• Art & craft, Sand and water play

• Outdoor learning

• Storytime

• Phonics and maths group sessions

Outdoor Play

• There is a rich outdoor environment:

  children build dens, explore a “texture kitchen,” dig in a mud pit, observe nature (e.g. a bug hotel), and more.

• They encourage outdoor learning in all weathers (rain, wind, etc.) to connect with nature.

For any additional information or to take

a look round, please do not hesitate to

contact school via email at

[email protected]

Fill in an application form using the pdf link below and send it into school via email or drop off in person to the school office.

SeeSaw Learning Platform:

Once your child starts at Garswood you will receive a SeeSaw account to keep you updated of your child's daily events and stories in real time, you will have the chance to send messages to staff and comment on photos from your little ones day.

SeeSaw is an app available through all iOS and Apple systems and will be connected to yours and your loved ones email address for instance notifications.