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Nursery at Frosterley Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Sand, water and shared books give Frosterley’s early years provision a hands-on character. In January 2024, children explored materials confidently and gained vocabulary through reading with adults. The nursery belongs to Frosterley Primary School at Bridge End. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good following its inspection on 23 and 24 January 2024; this is an early years judgement within the school inspection.
Children’s interests help shape the learning. The Dales Partnership’s EYFS approach combines play that children choose with activities guided by adults, using both indoor and outdoor spaces. Planning takes account of the small classes containing different ages, with skills selected to suit children’s stages of development. That gives the nursery day a balance between exploration and focused teaching.
The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, brings together learning to communicate, move and manage relationships with early literacy, mathematics, creativity and discovering the world. Here, outdoor areas support the curriculum’s rural context. Shared books and experiments with sand and water provide concrete opportunities to talk, investigate and develop confidence. Staff capture learning in class floor books, which are shared with families; parents can contribute too.
Matching the challenge. In January 2024, some early years tasks were too easy, while others asked more than children were ready to do. Learning about the world needed a more carefully sequenced curriculum. For families, the important question is how activities build from what their child can already manage.
Settling had a reassuring foundation in January 2024: children became comfortable quickly with help from attentive adults, who supported them to understand expectations. The partnership also arranges introductory visits for children and parents, with additional visits possible for children with SEND. These provide time to get familiar with surroundings and discuss needs before starting.
Support planning involves parents. The partnership describes individual targets, small-group work or individual interventions where needed, with teachers, support staff and the SENCO overseeing progress. Families can discuss concerns informally as well as through meetings and reviews. A relevant caution from January 2024 concerns the school’s wider SEND provision: support was sometimes insufficiently precise. Agreeing clear, manageable next steps therefore matters.
Chartwells provides meals, with a fortnightly menu rotation and choices made in advance. Nursery meals carry a charge. For allergies or intolerances, the catering provider has a medical diet nutrition team, giving families a specific route for dietary discussions.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. The school directs families to Durham County Council’s primary admissions process and admissions brochure.
Familiarity and admission are separate matters. The partnership uses transition days when children change classes, helping them encounter different surroundings and routines. Its arrangements for children with SEND also allow extra introductory visits. These practices support adjustment; they should not be read as securing a school place.
Nursery enquiries can go to the Frosterley office on 01388 528358 or frosterley@durhamlearning.net. The school is at Bridge End, Frosterley, DL13 2SN. For nursery meals, obtain current charges from the school. Before a child starts, families must provide emergency contacts, relevant health information and dietary needs, including allergies, and keep these details updated.
The partnership’s EYFS approach combines children’s chosen play with adult-guided activities indoors and outdoors. In January 2024, early years children explored sand and water and shared books with adults.
Introductory visits let children and parents become familiar with the setting and staff. Additional visits can be arranged for children with SEND. In January 2024, early years children settled quickly with adult support.
Yes. Chartwells provides meals, and nursery meals are charged. The partnership describes a fortnightly menu rotation with choices made ahead of time.
No. Nursery and Reception applications are separate. Families should follow Durham County Council’s normal primary admissions process and its deadline.
Parents can discuss needs before starting and remain involved in support planning. The partnership provides ongoing discussions with teachers or the SENCO and reviews of support plans.
