Middleton-In-Teesdale Academy Nursery

A nursery garden where fallen leaves become material for sorting gives a concrete picture of early learning at Middleton-In-Teesdale Academy. Children have swept leaves into piles, then explored differences in size and colour. Physical activity and close observation meet in the same task.

The school's nursery caters for children aged 3-4 years, with its own early years area combining play and learning. This is the academy's provision, distinct from Dawn Till Dusk, the privately run childcare service attached to the school. Under URN 149475, the academy has no Ofsted graded rating yet.

An 8:45am start leads to either a midday finish or a longer day ending at 3:00pm. Within that morning, snacks become available from 10.00am. Children are encouraged to choose their own drink and snack, making independence part of an ordinary daily routine.

The nursery sits within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the early learning phase. Named teaching approaches give some shape to that learning: Read Write Inc is used in early years, with books for home matched to the phonics children have covered. A story is also shared with each class daily. Together, these arrangements connect learning about sounds with enjoying stories.

Early years religious education explores belonging, places that matter and celebrations. Children consider what makes someone special and whether people celebrate in the same way. These are accessible starting points for talking about themselves and other families.

Practical activity extends into the garden. Alongside leaf sweeping and comparing, nursery children have helped make apple crumble, picking, peeling and chopping the fruit. These examples bring movement, noticing differences and preparing food into the learning day, rather than confining learning to books.

Fruit or another healthy snack is offered alongside milk or water. Helping themselves gives children a small, manageable responsibility. Before admission, the school gathers information about dietary preferences, allergies and health requirements, so families have a clear opportunity to explain their child's needs.

Additional support uses the school's SEND team. Parents are involved in planning support and reviewing progress each term; SEND plans can be accessed through Edukey, where parents can comment on targets. This gives families a practical way to contribute between conversations with staff.

The school can refer children to speech and language therapists and occupational therapists. Its building is wheelchair accessible, with disabled toilets and marked accessible parking spaces. School medical support includes staff qualified in Paediatric First Aid; children with more severe medical conditions have care plans developed with parents and medical professionals.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process. Durham County Council administers Reception applications on behalf of the North East Learning Trust, with a closing date of 15th January. Families living outside County Durham apply through their own county's school portal.

Nursery children have taken part in apple-crumble making alongside Reception children. That is an example of shared activity, separate from the process that allocates school places.

The school office handles nursery applications and arranges visits. Contact it on 01833 640 382. The nursery application asks whether families qualify for free 30 hours provision and requests an eligibility code from those who do.

Uniform applies to nursery children too: a navy logo jumper or cardigan, grey bottoms and black school shoes. Nursery pupils may wear a white polo shirt. Emblematic Ltd supplies the uniform, and clothing should be labelled so that it can be identified.