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Nursery at Wardley 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories become building projects at Wardley: children in early years make brick houses while retelling The Three Little Pigs. That connection between language and play gives the nursery its character. This is Wardley Primary School’s own provision for three and four year olds, on Keir Hardie Avenue in Wardley.
Ofsted’s January 2026 inspection judged the school’s early years provision to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. Communication through play is a clear strength, while writing development needs further work.
Adult-directed activities sit alongside play that children choose themselves. The early years approach gives children opportunities to explain their ideas and feelings, experiment and solve problems. In parent terms, learning happens through conversation and exploration as well as through an adult showing children what to do. Indoor and outdoor play both contribute.
The January 2026 early years findings give this approach concrete shape. Plastic bricks support storytelling, and unicorn role play brings imaginary vegetables into the game. Outside, melting snow becomes an investigation: children compare the speed of water flowing downhill. Adults listen and extend the conversation, turning an everyday observation into practice with descriptive language.
Listening for sounds also builds the foundations for later phonics teaching. Writing development. Early years writing was developing less securely than sound and reading skills in January 2026. Families should weigh that alongside the positive language work.
Forest School adds another setting for exploration. A nursery visit featured in the school’s news on 22 April 2026, with children exploring, creating and working together. This gives a specific example of nursery learning extending beyond the classroom.
Staffing combines a full-time equivalent teacher for each class with teaching assistants supporting children during the day. In January 2026, early years adults were skilled at developing children’s language, and younger children understood expectations and settled into routines. Communication with parents was effective.
The nursery’s 2025–2026 policy allowed induction arrangements to delay a child’s start, with consultation involving the headteacher; children might receive fewer funded hours during that period. Confirm current induction arrangements with the school when planning your child’s first weeks.
For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school’s arrangements involve parents in agreeing support and reviewing progress. Where needs are already identified before nursery entry, the SEND coordinator or class teacher visits the child’s preschool setting. This allows planning to begin with knowledge of the child’s existing needs.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application, and Gateshead’s 2027 admission arrangements give no priority for attending Wardley’s nursery.
For Gateshead residents seeking September 2027 entry, applications go through gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions by 15 January 2027; a paper route is also offered. Families living elsewhere apply through their home council by its deadline. Nursery attendance and Reception allocation are separate decisions.
Support during a class change has its own purpose. Under the school’s SEND arrangements, the next teacher receives relevant records and Support Plans, with a planning meeting before the move. That helps continuity of care; it does not change admission priority.
Morning sessions run from 8.40am to 11.40am; afternoons run from 12.25pm to 3.25pm. Eligible children using extended provision attend from 8.40am to 3.25pm Monday to Thursday, then finish at 11.40am on Friday. The shorter Friday matters for collection and childcare planning.
The 2025–2026 nursery policy organised universal funding as 15 hours across 38 weeks. Its extended places depended on staffing and availability, required a valid eligibility code and were restricted to children turning four during that academic year. Under that policy, additional paid sessions for families without extended entitlement depended on availability and were booked for a whole half term, with charges applying during absences. Ask the school for current charges.
The 2025–2026 nursery policy required an application form returned to the headteacher. Contact the office on 0191 469 3012 or wardleyprimaryschool@gateshead.gov.uk to confirm current application arrangements.
The nursery provision is for three and four year olds. The 2025–2026 policy normally admitted children in the term after their third birthday, subject to space.
Mornings are 8.40am–11.40am and afternoons are 12.25pm–3.25pm. Eligible extended provision runs 8.40am–3.25pm Monday to Thursday and 8.40am–11.40am Friday.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place, and the 2027 Reception arrangements do not include nursery attendance as a priority criterion. A separate application is required.
Parents help agree outcomes and support, and take part in reviews. For children with identified SEND before nursery entry, the SEND coordinator or class teacher visits their preschool setting.
The 2025–2026 policy required families to complete a nursery application form and return it to the headteacher. Confirm current application arrangements with the school office on 0191 469 3012 or wardleyprimaryschool@gateshead.gov.uk.
