The Gateshead Cheder Primary School Nursery

Songs, rhymes and first letter sounds give the youngest boys at The Gateshead Cheder Primary School a lively introduction to learning. The nursery sits within an independent Orthodox Jewish school at Bede House on Sunderland Road, Gateshead, with education beginning at age three. Its Jewish ethos is an important consideration for families choosing their child’s first setting.

At the inspection of 5 to 7 November 2024, 25 children attended the early years provision part time. That is an attendance figure for that date, rather than a nursery capacity. Ofsted judged early years provision Good within its inspection of the school; this was an early years judgement, rather than a separate nursery inspection.

Early reading has a concrete starting point: children learn letters and their corresponding sounds through a phonics programme. In November 2024, trained staff supported this learning, while songs and rhymes brought music into classroom activities. For a parent, that means the first steps towards reading involve hearing and using sounds alongside recognising letters.

Number learning uses different approaches, giving children more than one way to explore mathematical ideas. The early years findings also describe children exploring unfamiliar ideas with enjoyment and gaining confidence through adult help. These are useful details about how learning feels for the youngest children: discovery and supported practice sit alongside the beginnings of reading and mathematics.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for children aged from birth to five. It covers learning and development alongside welfare and safeguarding. Its learning areas extend beyond letters and numbers to communication, movement, emotional and social development, understanding the world and creative expression. This gives parents a broader way to consider a nursery day than early reading alone.

Settling into routines was a positive feature of early years in November 2024. Children adapted quickly, with kind adults caring for the youngest members of the school. For families facing a first separation, the relevant strength is that children were becoming familiar with the daily pattern and receiving caring support while doing so.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), early years guidance calls for support planned with parents and reviewed against the child’s progress. This is a general expectation for early years provision, rather than a description of a particular intervention here. Parents’ observations should contribute to understanding a child’s needs and deciding what help is appropriate.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process and meet the relevant deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and obtaining a Reception place as two separate decisions.

The school’s address is Bede House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead, NE8 3HY. Families can contact the school on 0191 477 7255 or email admin@thecheder.co.uk to make a nursery enquiry. Ask the school for current charges before making a financial commitment.