Nursery at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Coundon

At the April 2024 inspection, children from age two enjoyed songs and rhymes at St Joseph's nursery. This is a nursery within a Catholic primary school on Victoria Lane in Coundon, Bishop Auckland. Its identity is tied to the school, while the choice for parents centres on early learning and individual support.

Ofsted judged early years provision Requires improvement following the inspection on 17 and 18 April 2024. That judgement matters here: there were strengths in adult-directed learning, alongside weaknesses in the breadth of children's development.

Singing and rhyming featured in nursery learning at the April 2024 inspection. In April 2024, children enjoyed these activities from the age of two. They give parents a useful starting point for understanding the provision's emphasis on early literacy.

Within the early years foundation stage (EYFS), children work on early number skills, literacy and spoken communication. Adult-directed literacy and mathematics activities were helping children begin well in April 2024. The picture across the curriculum was less consistent. Some activities did too little to extend what children knew, with spoken language among the areas needing attention.

Curriculum development. In April 2024, early years learning needed a clearer focus on essential skills and knowledge across its different areas. For families, the practical issue is how everyday activities build children's understanding and communication, alongside their enjoyment of songs and rhymes.

Individual needs sit within the school's inclusion arrangements. The team includes a SENCO and Inclusion Lead and a Wellbeing Lead. Teachers and teaching assistants also provide pastoral support, giving families several staff roles through which to discuss their child's needs.

The school's support offer includes Talk Boost as an example of intervention for communication and interaction, with individual or small-group work. Picture-supported equipment labels and visual timetables are also among its approaches. These provide concrete ways of making activities and routines easier to understand; support is matched to the individual child.

Speech and Language therapists, occupational therapists and an Educational Psychologist are among the specialist services the school uses when additional advice is needed. For medical needs, staff work with families and healthcare professionals, taking advice and arranging training where required. Parents wishing to discuss special educational needs can speak to the class teacher. That provides a direct route into a conversation about appropriate support.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. The application route is Durham County Council.

Keep this decision separate from choosing nursery care: a place in the early years provision should not be treated as a secured school place. Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan follow a different admission and transfer process, so those families need to use the arrangements appropriate to their child.

The school is on Victoria Lane, Coundon, Bishop Auckland, DL14 8NN. Nursery enquiries can be directed to the school on 01388 602 608 or by email to admin@stjosephscoundon.bhcet.org.uk.

For families coordinating children at different schools, check holiday dates carefully: church schools can use dates that differ from other local schools.