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Nursery at West Cornforth Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Story-led play and outdoor learning through the seasons give West Cornforth’s nursery its character. Children can start at two, with separate two-year-old and three-year-old provision within the school’s Foundation Stage Unit. The younger group is called Ducklings. School Nursery has 52 part-time equivalent places, each based on 15 hours a week; that figure describes the allocation of places rather than a headcount attending together.
Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 16 and 17 September 2025. This judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning about language, movement and relationships with early literacy, mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world. For two-year-olds, communication, physical development and social and emotional development take the lead. These give younger children a foundation for the other areas as they grow.
Play includes exploring independently, collaborating with friends and working alongside adults. Stories shape the weekly learning, giving activities a shared starting point. Three-year-old nursery children take storybooks home to enjoy with an adult, while families in the two-year-old group can borrow sensory bags. Learning can continue through something concrete at home.
Outdoor space is used throughout the year, including in most weather conditions. The school supplies wellies and all-in-one snow suits, and a weekly outdoor learning session occupies much of a morning with planned exploration. Outside is part of the learning routine.
Early reading starts with rhymes and sound activities in Nursery, preparing children for later phonics teaching. Little Wandle is the school’s phonics scheme. In September 2025, early years activities supported the beginnings of reading and mathematics, while children also learned routines and how to recognise and discuss their feelings.
Ducklings has key workers, and communication with families uses several channels. Class Dojo allows direct messages and shares photographs; Tapestry holds the online learning journal, where parents can contribute pictures and comments from home. Weekly newsletters explain the learning focus, alongside conversations at collection and drop-off and termly parents’ evenings.
For children with SEND, starting arrangements can include adjustments to the length of the day where necessary and a possible home visit. The school’s support arrangements include termly SEND reviews and discussions with the class teacher or SENCO, giving families a recurring opportunity to review needs and support.
Physical support includes regular fine motor activities in EYFS. Across the school’s SEND provision, the Nurture Room and Thrive Room provide sensory activities and spaces for smaller-group support. Personal care assistance can address eating, drinking and toileting, with independence as the aim. Before admission, families provide dietary, allergy and health information so staff can take individual needs into account.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process and meet its deadline. Durham County Council is the school’s signposted route for primary admissions information.
Transition support is a separate matter. The school’s SEND arrangements include time with a new teacher before changing class, staff discussions about children’s needs and additional visits where needed. For children starting in September, a transition booklet provides a reminder over the holidays.
School Nursery’s part-time model is based on 15 hours each week. Nursery enquiries go through the school: telephone 01740 654 315, email westcornforth@durhamlearning.net or use the contact form.
The uniform policy applies to all children. It combines a blue outer layer with a white or blue shirt, grey or black bottoms and dark shoes or trainers. School logos are optional, giving families flexibility over where they buy clothing.
Children can attend from age two. The school has two-year-old and three-year-old nursery provision.
School Nursery has 52 part-time equivalent places based on 15 hours per week. This is not a simultaneous attendance headcount.
Yes. Outdoor areas are used year-round in most weather conditions, with a weekly planned outdoor learning session. Wellies and snow suits are supplied.
Class Dojo supports messages and photographs, while Tapestry lets parents view the learning journal and add contributions from home. There are also weekly newsletters and termly parents’ evenings.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process. Use Durham County Council’s primary admissions information for the application process.
