Hartside Primary Academy Nursery Review

Play, conversation and first-hand experiences shape Hartside’s nursery, with the parent collaboration programme 5 2 Thrive connecting families to early learning. The nursery sits within the academy’s Early Years unit in Crook, County Durham. There is provision for two-year-olds as well as children aged three and four, and the school describes a 60-place nursery.

This is school-based early education with its own daily rhythms. Breakfast and after-school care for Early Years children take place in the EYFS unit, keeping children with familiar adults and friends rather than requiring a move to another part of the school.

Whole-group learning, activities led by adults in smaller groups and play chosen by children share the day. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives attention to communication, physical development and children’s social and emotional development. In parent terms, talking, moving and learning to manage feelings sit alongside developing knowledge. Hartside adapts its curriculum to the interests of each year’s children, so their curiosity helps shape activities.

Staff observe children during play and discuss their learning at weekly EYFS team meetings. Those discussions inform the following week’s activities and any extra support. Planning therefore draws on what children actually do and understand, rather than following activities in isolation.

The June 2022 inspection found that early-years children enjoyed learning independently and with others. A nursery activity paired a dice roll with drawing matching spots on a ladybird; counting also became part of hide-and-seek. These examples show how number practice can belong inside play.

The wider school grounds include woodland, a field and an activity trail. These are school facilities, and families should distinguish them from the nursery’s own daily activities. Physical access needs careful planning: the woodland, trail and upper floor have limitations, with activities relocated or access arrangements adapted where needed.

Each member of the EYFS team acts as key person for a small group. Your child’s key worker is the first contact for conversations, giving families a clear person to approach. Before children start, the EYFS lead or office team contacts parents. Hartside encourages families to practise handwashing, dressing and using cutlery, linking preparation to everyday independence.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), parents are asked to discuss identified needs before starting so support can be planned. Advice from other agencies may be sought. The school mainly communicates through Class Dojo, with telephone calls, meetings or printed information used when families need another method.

Meals are cooked on site, with menus changing on a three-week rotation. Early Years children also receive free fruit and vegetables at breaktime. Special dietary needs supported by medical evidence can be accommodated, but school meals cannot be guaranteed completely free of allergens. Families managing allergies should take that qualification into account when arranging meals.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the local authority’s normal process and meet its application deadline. The route is a Common Application Form, submitted online or on paper to the local authority; Durham County Council’s Parent Portal provides the online route.

Choose the nursery for its early education and care, while treating Reception admission as a separate decision and application.

Monday to Friday, morning nursery runs from 08:45 to 11:45, and afternoon nursery from 12:15 to 15:15. Universal provision provides 15 hours weekly; eligible families can access 30 hours. Hours can be arranged flexibly, subject to space, across 38 weeks each year. Eligible two-year-olds can access Play and Learn places.

Charged extras. The 30-hour entitlement excludes school breakfast, lunch and the after-school snack, which carry additional charges. Ask the school for current charges when agreeing your pattern of attendance.

Nursery enquiries go directly to the office, where paper application forms can be collected. Contact 01388 766686 or hartside@hartside.org.uk. School uniform includes a red jumper or cardigan, a white top and grey or black bottoms. Branded clothing is optional, and a free uniform swap shop offers another practical route for families.