Edmondsley Primary Academy Nursery Review

An orchard, allotment gardens and a nursery building of its own give Edmondsley’s youngest children a school day with plenty of scope for outdoor exploration. Provision covers two-year-olds as well as children aged three and four, within Edmondsley Primary Academy in Durham. The nursery occupies its own building in the school grounds, giving it a distinct base within the wider school.

Environmental learning has practical substance here. Children can grow vegetables in the allotments and harvest fruit from the orchard. For families who value learning through the natural world, those are concrete opportunities to connect play with how food grows.

Curiosity through play shapes the curriculum. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together children’s communication, physical development, relationships and early learning. Edmondsley uses a play-based curiosity approach, taking account of children’s interests and development while introducing new experiences. Staff work with families to understand what each child already knows, so learning starts with the child rather than a uniform starting point.

Outdoor activity happens daily, with opportunities chosen by children alongside activities directed by adults. Story time also happens each day, with familiar books revisited; circle time each week concentrates on feelings and relationships. Snack time includes conversations about keeping mind and body healthy. These recurring moments give exploration a recognisable rhythm.

Indoors, reading spaces and role play sit alongside construction and creative activities. Toy telephones, messy play and listening walks provide different reasons to talk, describe and listen. Outside, a wildlife pond introduces habitats, while the playground and tennis court provide space for trikes and other wheeled toys. Children have places to investigate and places to move.

Reading develops at an individual pace. Read Write Inc. Phonics begins for nursery children who are developmentally ready, usually during the summer term before Reception. Sessions are short and groups very small. Families can also borrow books from the nursery library to enjoy together, keeping shared stories part of home life before children read independently.

Introductory sessions bring children and family members into early years, and a key worker system provides a familiar adult connection. Predictable routines and consistent adult responses are part of the approach to settling. Early years staff hold Paediatric First Aid Certificates, and quiet spaces allow children to rest or take time to process their feelings.

Fruit is provided free for nursery children, and children under five receive free milk daily. Healthy eating is also discussed during snacks, making food part of the learning day as well as a care routine.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), families are asked to discuss identified needs before the child starts, allowing support to be planned. The school’s support process involves parents, class staff and the SEND coordinator, with support plans reviewed at least three times a year. Parents can discuss concerns with the class teacher or SEND coordinator between reviews. That gives families both scheduled review points and an ongoing conversation.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through County Durham’s normal admissions route, submitting the Common Application Form online or on paper to the local authority by the normal deadline.

Familiarity is a separate benefit from admission. Nursery and Reception children regularly learn and play together across the classrooms and grounds. This gives nursery children contact with the next stage of school life, but does not secure a place there.

Nursery enquiries go directly to the school office, where paper application forms can be collected. The early years lead or office team contacts families before their child is due to start.

Free Play and Learn places and 30 hours of free childcare are offered to eligible families. Contact the office on 0191 371 0443 or email Edmondsley@durhamlearning.net to enquire. Visits can also be arranged, giving families an opportunity to see the nursery’s separate building and grounds before choosing it.