Noah’s Ark Nursery at Belmont CofE (Controlled) Primary School

Stories in an outdoor reading shed and imaginative cooking in a mud kitchen give Noah’s Ark Nursery its character. Language grows through play here: children choose books, talk together and use new words as they invent their own snacks. These are practical foundations for learning to communicate.

Part of Belmont CofE (Controlled) Primary School in Durham, the nursery provides term-time places for two-year-olds and three-year-olds, with funded and paid options. The school moved to its new building in October 2024. Ofsted’s January 2026 judgement for early years was Expected standard, within the school inspection rather than a separate nursery inspection.

Play gives the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum its shape. Planned experiences develop children’s communication, early number understanding, literacy and personal development, with Christian values guiding the approach. For parents, that means learning includes how children express an idea and relate to others, alongside the beginnings of reading and mathematics.

The outdoor reading shed gives books a place beyond the classroom. In January 2026, children as young as two enjoyed listening to stories there and choosing what came next. Rhymes and songs also feature in early years learning. Adults introduce vocabulary during play and extend children’s ideas through conversation; the mud kitchen provides a concrete example, with children describing the pretend food they were preparing together.

Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS) is the school’s chosen phonics programme. Nursery practice centres on memorising rhymes, listening carefully and exploring traditional stories. Children retell familiar tales through props and creative activities, while sound activities take place across the day. This gives early literacy a conversational, playful form rather than making the nursery timetable a copy of older children’s lessons.

Personal and social learning also has clear purpose. The January 2026 early years findings describe children developing cooperation and resilience, with room to express their personalities within consistent routines. Learning to play together is part of the curriculum.

An Early Years team works with the children, and the EYFS lead oversees nursery phonics planning. January 2026 findings describe staff adjusting activities to children’s different starting points, including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The practical benefit is support within learning activities, rather than an expectation that every child approaches them in the same way.

Families are asked to discuss identified additional needs before their child starts so support can be planned. The school’s SEND process involves agreeing outcomes with parents, putting strategies into practice and reviewing their effect. Individual SEN Support Plans receive a formal review at least once each term, giving families a recurring opportunity to discuss progress. Parent Mail carries school messages and updates.

Chartwells provides school meals. On full nursery days, children need either a packed lunch or a school meal, with the latter charged separately whether the session is funded or paid. That distinction matters when planning the whole day’s arrangements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Belmont directs applicants to Durham County Council’s online School Admissions service. Its listed deadline of midnight on 15 January 2026 applied to September 2026 entry, a cycle that has already passed.

Preparation for the change is a separate matter from securing a place. Nursery staff work closely with the Reception team to support children’s transition into school life. Familiarity between the teams supports continuity, but families still need to complete the admissions process.

Five morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am; five afternoon sessions run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, both Monday to Friday. A two-and-a-half-day pattern combines Monday and Tuesday full days with Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon with Thursday and Friday full days. Full days run from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

For three-year-olds, the 15-hour entitlement starts in the term following their third birthday; eligible children can take 30 funded hours from that point. Eligible two-year-olds can attend term-time Play and Learn sessions for 15 hours weekly. Paid sessions are also offered. Ask the nursery for current charges.

Breakfast Club begins at 7:30am, while Tea Club runs until 6:00pm. Three-year-old morning and afternoon patterns also have optional lunch extensions. These options give families ways to extend care around the nursery sessions.

Uniform includes a navy sweatshirt or cardigan, a white polo shirt and grey bottoms, with leggings or tracksuit bottoms among the nursery choices. Pre-loved uniform can be obtained through the office. For enquiries, call 0191 3844178 or email belmontceprimary@durhamlearning.net; families can also arrange a school visit through the office.