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Nursery at Cestria 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play, exploration and a teacher-led team give Cestria’s nursery its shape. There is provision for two-year-olds, alongside Little Comets for children aged three and four, within Cestria Primary School in Chester-le-Street. Both age groups have a qualified teacher supported by staff with relevant qualifications and experience. For families, that means nursery learning is organised by a teaching team from the start.
Indoor activities and outdoor learning feature in both groups. The younger children’s provision centres on communication, growing independence and developing confidence through play; Little Comets combines experiences directed by adults with activities shaped by children.
Children have opportunities to explore for themselves as well as join activities organised by staff. For two-year-olds, planning takes account of their interests and developmental stage. This gives adults a way to match an activity to the child, rather than expecting every child to approach it in the same way.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the curriculum framework here. In parent terms, Cestria connects learning with social development and increasing independence, and adapts the pace for children who need additional support. The practical emphasis is on helping children participate alongside their peers.
At Little Comets, learning takes place both inside and outdoors, with planned indoor activities alongside access to outdoor spaces. The December 2024 inspection identified early-years opportunities to practise writing and mathematics across the setting, outdoor facilities supporting coordination and physical development, and children concentrating well and following routines. These findings concern the school’s early years as a whole.
Sharing and learning to care for themselves and other people also begin in early years through Cestria Citizens. Small social habits are part of the learning. A separate school-wide concern in that inspection was inconsistent checking of understanding, which sometimes left mistakes or missing knowledge undetected; this was not identified as a nursery-specific weakness.
Little Comets children can have brunch and school lunches. Meals are prepared on the school premises, and Chartwells Schools provides the school dinner service, including a process for medical diets. That gives families managing allergies or intolerances a defined catering process to discuss with the team.
For children with SEND, the school’s starting arrangements include photographic packs showing staff and surroundings, visits arranged in advance and a gradual induction where needed. These steps give a child time to become familiar with the setting before taking on the full routine.
Parents help shape individual SEN Support Plans, with support and targets reviewed each term. Class teachers and the SENCO are available for continuing discussions. The school’s support spaces include the Zen Den sensory area and rooms for targeted teaching, providing alternatives when a child needs a different learning space. Class Dojo carries school news and updates about children’s days.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process. Cestria directs parents to Durham County Council’s application form in the autumn before the intended admission year; the local authority makes offers using its admissions criteria.
Support for changing classes is a separate matter. For children with SEND, Cestria arranges discussions involving families and teachers, plus extra classroom visits and opportunities to ask questions. Familiarisation helps prepare a child for change; it does not secure admission.
Both nursery age groups offer full-day and half-day places, conditional on receipt of a government childcare code. Enquiries go through the Office Manager, or families can telephone the school on 0191 3882483. Appointments to look around can be arranged through the school.
Cestria Extra provides childcare before and after school and during holidays for children aged three to sixteen, with delivery and collection at Cestria. This is an additional option for families with children in that age range.
There is provision for two-year-olds and Little Comets for children aged three and four.
Both patterns are offered for each nursery age group, subject to receipt of a government childcare code.
Yes. Children can access school lunches and brunch.
No. Families need a separate school application through Durham County Council, which allocates places against its admissions criteria.
Contact the Office Manager about nursery places, or call the school on 0191 3882483. The school arranges appointments for families who want to look around.
