Larkspur Community Primary School Nursery

A gradual start shapes nursery life at Larkspur: children begin with shorter sessions, building their attendance around how they settle. Provision covers eligible two-year-olds and children aged three and four within Larkspur Community Primary School in Gateshead.

There is an important educational caveat. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Requires Improvement at its inspection on 1 and 2 October 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Mornings run from 8.30am to 11.30am, while children eligible for extended entitlement can attend until 3.15pm. Both patterns cover five days each week, giving families a regular attendance pattern rather than a choice of individual days.

Talk, adult interaction and activities suited to each child's learning needs are central issues for the early years foundation stage here. In October 2024, activities and adult support sometimes failed to fit children's needs closely enough, limiting both engagement and learning. Adults also missed chances to develop children's language and understanding through their interactions. For parents, the important question is how staff turn an activity into a conversation that helps a child learn.

The outdoor learning area had received attention by October 2024, with changes made to address weaknesses in provision for the youngest children. The physical space matters, but so does the teaching within it. Activities and adult conversation need to work together.

Settling begins before regular attendance. A preliminary visit precedes shorter sessions, with time increased according to the individual child. The nursery admissions policy also requires a home visit before children aged three and four start. Induction can delay a start or temporarily reduce funded hours, so the first weeks may require extra flexibility from parents.

The early years staffing structure includes a teacher whose responsibilities also cover phonics. For additional needs, the school's SEND policy uses Assess, Plan, Do, Review: support is discussed with parents, put into practice and checked. The SEND coordinator agrees strategies for home and school with families, giving parents a role in deciding how support works.

Packed-lunch guidance applies across the school. It calls for fruit and vegetables alongside protein, an energy food and dairy or an alternative; sweets and fizzy drinks are excluded. Lunches are stored somewhere cool and dry, and children with food allergies or intolerances receive support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Gateshead's normal admissions process, with places allocated under the local authority's policy. Treat that application as a separate task.

The October 2024 school admissions policy specifies the end of January, while also directing parents to the deadline on the application form. Follow Gateshead's application deadline for the relevant entry year.

Transition support is a different matter from admission. The SEND policy includes opportunities to meet the next teacher or visit the next setting when moving from nursery to Reception. Additional visits and tasks can support children with SEND, helping them become familiar with the change.

The February 2026 nursery policy sets out funded provision over 38 weeks: a universal pattern of 15 hours, with another 15 hours for children who qualify for extended entitlement. Its morning timetable is the same for both nursery age groups. The longer pattern runs from 8.30am to 3.15pm on five days per week, subject to eligibility.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0191 487 5628 or email larkspurcommunityprimaryschool@gateshead.gov.uk. Visits can be arranged by contacting the school. The nursery is at Beacon Lough East, Gateshead, NE9 6SS.