Nursery at St John's Church of England Academy

Real objects, recycled materials and loose parts give the nursery's Curiosity Approach its character. Children learn through exploring and following their interests, with adults also guiding activities. This is provision for two- and three-year-olds within St John's Church of England Academy's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in Darlington.

The school's Christian ethos welcomes families of other faiths and none. Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 6 and 7 October 2022. That judgement covers the school's early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play combines activities led by adults with choices initiated by children. Planning covers outdoor and indoor learning, so exploration is not confined to the classroom. The Curiosity Approach supplies real resources and materials that children can investigate.

The EYFS organises learning into seven connected areas. For parents, this means that learning to communicate, move and build relationships sits alongside early literacy, number, creativity and discovering how the world works. Staff give extra emphasis to language and emotional and social development: listening, speaking, cooperating and kindness are explicit priorities. Teachers and teaching assistants adapt planning around children's starting points and interests.

Outdoor exploration has included investigating frozen water in the nursery garden's mud kitchen. It is a concrete example of children examining a change in their surroundings through touch and observation.

Time to practise. In October 2022, some early years activities were replaced before children had sufficient opportunity to develop their skills through repetition. For families, the useful issue is how long children can return to an activity and build on what they have learned.

Home and nursery learning are connected through regular communication with families. In October 2022, mathematics stay-and-play and rhyme sessions helped parents understand children's learning. These gave families practical ways to join in, rather than relying only on an update about progress.

For concerns about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school's first contact is the class teacher. School support can include individual intervention or work in small groups. Following a review of a child's progress, specialist support may be sought through services including the Early Years Inclusion Officer and speech and language therapy. This makes the route from raising a concern to seeking additional help clear.

School accessibility features include ramps and two adapted toilets. These are school facilities, relevant to families considering access needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and confers no priority under the September 2027 admission arrangements. Families must apply separately using the common application form through Darlington Borough Council or their home local authority, returning it by 15 January 2027. Attending nursery does not replace that application. Families choosing the nursery should therefore treat the later school application as a separate decision and deadline.

The school office arranges visits for prospective families. Nursery enquiries can be made by telephone on 01325 380725, by email to admin@stjohnsceacademy.co.uk or through the school's contact form. The school is on Fenby Avenue, Darlington, DL1 4UB.