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Nursery at Neville's Cross Primary School and Nursery
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Playdough, puppets and planting give the nursery at Neville's Cross its character: learning through things children can handle, discuss and try for themselves. This school-run provision on Relly Path in Durham belongs to the school's early years foundation stage. Its admission limit is 26 children in a session, with different attendance patterns allowing more children to hold places overall.
In the Ofsted inspection of 5 and 6 June 2024, early years provision was graded Good within the school inspection. That judgement covers the school's early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Play carries the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), supported by Development Matters guidance, connects language, relationships and physical development with early literacy, maths, understanding the world and creative expression. For parents, that means counting and conversation belong alongside imaginative play, rather than learning being confined to formal tasks.
Puppets, rhymes and role play give children reasons to speak and listen; books and stories introduce language and ideas. Adults model taking turns and sharing during activities. Dressing up also involves practising clothes and shoes, linking imaginative play with the independence children need in daily life.
There is physical learning on different scales. Clay, playdough and construction materials exercise smaller movements, while slides, climbing frames and wheeled toys provide opportunities for larger movements. Activities take place indoors and outside. Sand and water containers, dominoes and counting songs introduce mathematical ideas through objects and games.
Planting bulbs and seeds, observing butterflies hatch and discussing families and festivals broaden children's understanding of their surroundings. Painting, instruments and dancing provide ways to explore and express ideas. These are examples from the early years curriculum, with learning developing across children's time in the phase.
Settling begins with contact between staff, families and childcare providers before children start. In June 2024, children in early years adjusted promptly to routines, and parents contributed information through Busy Bee questionnaires. This gives staff knowledge of the child beyond what they see in the setting.
Tapestry connects nursery learning with home. Photographs, videos and written observations record new learning, while parents can comment, ask questions and contribute their own observations. Weekend experiences can become conversation topics back in nursery, supporting vocabulary and listening. Practising coat fastenings and putting on shoes also counts as learning at home.
Individual support. The June 2024 school findings included insufficiently tailored provision for some pupils with SEND and inconsistent communication with some families. These were school-wide concerns, rather than findings specifically assigned to nursery. Families needing additional support should discuss their child's needs through the school's SEN appointment route and agree how progress and communication will be reviewed.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through Durham County Council's school admissions process. For the September 2026 intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026; that cycle is now past.
Familiarity with staff and classrooms is a separate matter from admission. The school's transition arrangements include time with a new teacher in the new classroom and staff sharing information during the summer term. Where children need extra support, arrangements can include earlier preparation, additional classroom time or photographs to discuss at home. These help children prepare for change, rather than securing a place.
Attendance is term time only, with flexibility discussed with the school. The 30-hour offer lists Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 3:30pm. The 15-hour offer has a five-morning pattern and two alternatives combining full days with a Wednesday session. One uses Monday and Tuesday full days plus Wednesday morning; the other combines Wednesday afternoon, 12:30pm to 3:30pm, with Thursday and Friday full days.
Nursery enquiries and visit bookings go through the school office on 0191 3842249 or nevillescross@durhamlearning.net. Nursery open events are for parents and carers, with opportunities to see the setting and speak to early years staff.
No. Reception requires a separate application through Durham County Council's school admissions process.
The nursery offers term-time attendance patterns, with flexibility discussed with the school.
Learning is predominantly through play, including stories, role play, construction, counting games, planting and creative activities within the EYFS curriculum.
Parents can use Tapestry to add observations, comment and ask questions. Experiences such as weekend walks can contribute to discussions in nursery.
Contact the school office by telephone or email to book a nursery open event. These events are for parents and carers.
