Children learn and develop more from birth to five years old than at any other time in their lives. If children are at risk of falling behind the majority, the best time to help them catch up and keep up is in the early years. Every child can make progress if they are given the right support. When we give every child the best start in their early years, we give them what they need today. We also set them up with every chance of success tomorrow.
Early Years at Unity
Welcome to Early Years at Unity! Our foundation stage offers care and support for children aged 2 to 5 years, with a seamless curriculum that flows from Daycare to Nursery into Reception and through to Year 6.
Early Years focuses on developing children’s communication, language and social skills through play-based learning in a safe and supportive environment. We embrace trauma-informed practices to support every child’s well-being, offer compassionate family support, and foster a warm, welcoming environment.
Our multilingual staff celebrate diversity, working closely with parents as true partners to ensure every child thrives. Together, we build strong foundations for lifelong learning and growth.
Our Early Years curriculum is the ‘top-level plan’ of all the things we want children to experience, know and be able to do during their time in the Early Years at Unity. Our curriculum sets out what we teach when, and what children will learn.
A curriculum for communication and language is our top priority. This is because it is foundational to all other learning. It is especially important considering the long-term impact of the pandemic. For this reason, we have ensured that we always have at least one member of staff in Early Years who is ELKLAN trained, and at least five members of staff who are trained to carry out Wellcomm assessments.
To ensure that communication and language is at the forefront of all that we do, we have prioritised the following key non-negotiables:
Importance of High-Quality Interactions
Our early years staff are dedicated to engaging in meaningful and high-quality interactions with children. This involves not only talking to children but also actively listening and responding to their attempts at communication, thus fostering a rich dialogue environment.
Creating a Language-Rich Environment
Our early years staff understand the importance of creating a setting where children are surrounded by a variety of language experiences. This includes storytelling, singing, and exposure to new vocabulary in context, which supports children’s language acquisition.
Structured Curriculum Integration
Communication and language goals are integrated throughout the entire curriculum. This approach ensures that language development is not treated as an isolated activity but as a core part of all learning experiences.
Support for Children with Less Prior Knowledge
Our early years staff understand the need for tailored support for children who may start with less prior knowledge or who come from less language-rich backgrounds. Staff are clear about the use of differentiated instruction and targeted interventions to help these children catch up with their peers.
Progress through Understanding and Remembering more
Our early years staff are passionate about helping children not only understand but also retain and recall what they have learned. Staff plan regular reviews and practice to reinforce new language skills
Closing the Gap
We have chosen twenty-four essential books that we have committed to children becoming familiar with before they leave Nursery. These books are known for their engaging stories, vibrant illustrations, and simple language that help toddlers and young children develop a love for reading and improve their vocabulary and comprehension skills.
We have also selected twenty-four essential nursery rhymes that we have committed to children learning before they leave Nursery. These rhymes have been selected for their simplicity, repetitive structure, and engaging melodies, which help in language development and memory retention. These nursery rhymes are not only fun but also help children develop phonemic awareness, rhythm, and coordination.
By following these core principles, we are committed to ensuring that our children leave our Early Years with the best opportunities to close any knowledge gaps and are well-prepared to transition into Year 1!
Admissions
We are open 8am-5pm Monday-Friday, term-time Only (39 weeks per year). Children can attend from their second birthday.
We have full time and part time places available. Funded places are available: 15 hours free for children aged 2, 3 and 4 years, increasing to 30 hours for eligible working parents. To find out your eligibility for funded places, please find more information GOV.UK or Manchester Council.
There may also be additional support available for parents, depending on their funding criteria. This could include support with childcare costs, up to 30 hours free childcare, Tax-Free Childcare, tax credits, Universal Credit, vouchers and support.
If you would like to speak to someone, or find out more about your child joining Unity Nursery or Day Care, please use our Expression of Interest form below and we will get in touch.
For any other enquires, our Nursery Manager, Kirsty Ferris, will be happy to help. Please call the Nursery front office on 0161 674 9952. We are open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.
Unity Nursery prices are as follows:
- Full Day (8am – 5pm): £50
- Morning Sessions (8am -1pm): £38
- Afternoon Session (12:30pm -5pm) £36
- Breakfast Club (8am-9am) £2 (must be prebooked at the office)
- After School Club (Nursery children only) up to 4:30pm £8 up to 5pm £11
Unity Nursery - Expression of Interest
Mrs K Burton
Assistant Headteacher - EYFS
Kirsty Ferris
Nursery Manager
Adele Cauchi
Deputy Nursery Manager