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Nursery at Helen Gibson Nursery School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Colour Monsters, vegetable soup and a map of East Boldon Village give Helen Gibson Nursery School's early learning a recognisable character. Children explore feelings, handle ingredients and make sense of familiar places. These are concrete starting points for conversation and discovery.
The nursery serves children aged two to four on North Lane in East Boldon. The Lodge, attached to the main nursery, accommodated two-year-olds in September 2022. It gives the youngest children a distinct base within the provision. This is a nursery school in its own right, rather than a nursery classroom within a primary school.
At the September 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that staff shaped learning around children's interests and checked their development closely before planning the next step. The emphasis was on purposeful play, with adults adjusting their help to each child.
Early learning meant practising friendship, tackling problems and building foundations for reading, writing and mathematics. Younger children explored marks on different surfaces to develop the muscles needed for writing. Books with repeated language supported their vocabulary, while older children heard more complex stories and were prompted to explain and solve problems. The challenge increased with development.
Penguin Group activities have included autumn exploration in Forest School, filling and emptying during pretend soup-making, and chopping vegetables for soup to eat. A small-group map-making activity used East Boldon Village as its subject, while Rainbow Fish introduced sharing. These examples connect practical exploration with language and relationships.
Emotional learning also has tangible activities. During Mental Health and Well Being Week, children used Colour Monsters to explore emotions, prepared apple crumble, painted rainbows and tried yoga. Outdoors and beyond the nursery, September 2022 practice included local outings and an annual farm trip, bringing new experiences into children's learning.
Relationships begin with getting to know the child and family. In September 2022, staff developed family partnerships from the start and learned children's interests quickly. They also helped children work through disagreements. This makes personal knowledge part of both learning and everyday care.
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities participated throughout nursery life, including taking a turn as a special helper. Staff and parents shared learning information and worked towards manageable next steps. Early Years Pupil Premium support has included BLAST, Talkboost, nurture sessions and Early Words together, with Outreach running the latter. Funding also supported a sensory room: a quieter space for individual needs.
Meals come from South Tyneside Council. Families with allergen questions can contact the catering office on 0191 4246710, giving them a direct route for discussing recipe information. Safeguarding was effective in September 2022; staff received training, checked equipment daily and taught children to recognise when an activity felt too risky.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal admissions process, meeting the deadline for their chosen school. Treat that application as a separate decision from choosing this nursery.
Preparation for the move includes learning to cooperate and solve problems. By the end of nursery, children in September 2022 could distinguish sounds, rhyme and recognise personally meaningful words. These skills support the next stage of learning; they do not secure admission.
The school lists opening hours of 9am to 3.30pm. Kids Club provided care before and after school in September 2022, with older children helping younger ones. For an enquiry, use the contact form or telephone 0191 519 6846. Visits can be arranged directly with the nursery.
A funding notice for 2017 asked families eligible for the 30-hour offer to supply their entitlement code and National Insurance number. Uniform is optional, with second-hand jumpers and T-shirts also offered through the school. That gives families flexibility over nursery clothing.
The current school record gives an age range of two to four.
Examples include Forest School exploration, soup-making, mapping East Boldon Village, sharing stories and using Colour Monsters to discuss emotions.
South Tyneside Council provides meals. The catering office handles recipe allergen enquiries on 0191 4246710.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process and by the relevant deadline.
No. Uniform is optional, and the school also offers second-hand jumpers and T-shirts.
