The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Roseberry Primary and Nursery 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, conversation and the small habits of sharing a snack give Roseberry’s nursery its character. Hedgehogs serves two-year-olds and Butterflies serves three-year-olds, with both forming part of Roseberry Primary and Nursery School’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in Pelton. These are distinct nursery groups within the school, with their own session arrangements.
Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 27 and 28 February 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Reading has a daily place here. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds revised is the named phonics programme, and nursery children have daily phonics sessions. Alongside this, adults read stories and help children talk about them. In February 2024, nursery staff gave children frequent opportunities to hear books and encouraged them to contribute their own thoughts, helping an early interest in reading take hold.
EYFS means Early Years Foundation Stage, the part of Roseberry that includes its nursery groups. The everyday learning described here combines early reading with conversation and social routines. At snack time, children practise washing their hands, waiting for drinks and thanking the adult distributing cups. In February 2024, these routines were well established: ordinary moments were also opportunities to learn how to manage alongside other children.
A nursery outdoor space adds a physical setting for time outside. Breaks follow a flexible pattern, while the early years lunch period runs from 11:45am to 12:45pm. Practical activity features too: nursery children have made pancakes. Each Friday, EYFS children take a Bedtime Storybook home for an adult to read with them, giving families a specific way to continue shared reading beyond the session.
Settling begins with a visit alongside a parent or carer, allowing children to explore the nursery and meet their teacher before starting. Additional visits or meetings involving other agencies can be arranged where needed. The Early Years team contacts applicants nearer their intended start to organise the visit, start date and further paperwork.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), support follows Assess, Plan, Do, Review: staff identify needs, plan help, put it into practice and review progress with parents. Activities and materials can be adapted, with individual or small-group support where appropriate. This gives families a process for discussing what their child needs, rather than relying on a single conversation at entry.
Parents can raise pastoral concerns first with the class teacher. The school uses Arbor for messages, and its SEND arrangements include ongoing discussions and reviews of support plans. Children with additional medical needs may have a care plan developed with the school nurse; medication is kept in a locked cupboard away from children.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through Durham County Council’s normal primary admissions process and meet the applicable deadline.
Preparation for starting Reception is a separate matter. New starters are offered Meet the Teacher information sessions, summer-term classroom visits and an invitation to school lunch. Those experiences introduce the people, room and routines involved in the next step; they do not secure admission.
Hedgehogs has morning sessions from 9am to 11:40am, afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:10pm and full days from 9am to 3:10pm. Butterflies finishes at 3:10pm; part-time attendance can cover the beginning or end of the week, with Wednesday divided into morning or afternoon sessions. Both groups use the gate opposite the Newfield Inn, which opens at 8:50am and closes at 9am.
The nursery application form lets parents request 15 or 30 hours, enter a nursery funding code, or specify hours for a private place. These are application choices, rather than a promise of funded eligibility. Apply using the nursery form; enquiries can go to the school office on 0191 370 0182 or roseberry.primary@durhamlearning.net.
Hedgehogs is the two-year-old nursery group, while Butterflies is the three-year-old group.
Morning sessions run from 9am to 11:40am, afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:10pm, and full days from 9am to 3:10pm.
Yes. Nursery starters can visit with a parent or carer to meet their teacher and explore the setting. Additional visits can be arranged where required.
No. A separate school application is required through Durham County Council’s normal primary admissions process.
Use the nursery application form, selecting the age group and requested hours. The Early Years team will contact you nearer the intended start to arrange a visit and start date.
