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Nursery at The Sue Hedley 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Choosing what to play, building nests in woodland and learning to manage a coat or wellies give this nursery its character: children take an active part in their own day. The Sue Hedley Nursery School is a local authority nursery in Hebburn, with provision for children aged two to five and two SEND resource bases. Qualified teachers, Early Years Practitioners and support staff make up the team.
At the inspection on 4 and 5 February 2025, the nursery curriculum was judged outstanding. Children’s independence had practical expression, from looking after belongings on their pegs to helping distribute milk and snacks. Small responsibilities become opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.
HighScope shapes the routine. Children choose an activity, make a plan, try it and think back over what happened, alongside activities initiated by adults. That gives children a say in their learning while keeping a predictable structure. The Early Years Foundation Stage covers early language, relationships, physical development, literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world: here, those strands meet through play and conversation.
Morning welcome time brings children together with their key workers for songs and rhymes. Activities suit different stages of development. In February 2025, younger children shaped playdough by hand while older children handled knives safely, building hand control through different levels of challenge. An interest in trains could become a starting point for mathematical learning.
Indoors, separate learning areas allow children to pursue activities, with a sensory exploring area for stimulation or calming. Outdoors, Forest School is part of the weekly routine. The woodland provides more than fresh air: nest building connects materials and weather with birds, habitats and mathematics. Seasonal experiences include Hall Hill Farm in spring and the beach in summer, extending learning beyond the nursery.
Supersonic Phonic Friends develops listening before children move towards blending and separating spoken sounds. Rhythm, rhyme and body percussion sit alongside games such as Cross the River and Kim’s game. Early literacy starts with hearing and playing with sounds.
Settling support centres on practitioners getting to know each child’s interests and needs. Key workers check learning and address gaps, while Parent chats and Stay and Plays give families opportunities to share information and support learning at home. Milk and snacks feature in the routine; dinner menus use a three-week rotation.
For communication support, staff use Makaton signing, PECS and visual aids. In February 2025, pictures, signs and short, repeated phrases helped children with SEND understand instructions and join activities with their peers. Behaviour support uses HighScope problem solving: adults acknowledge feelings, establish what happened and help children agree a solution. Parents are involved in behaviour plans. The nursery says parents should be informed on the day of significant incidents relating to their child’s behaviour.
Willow Group is the EYFS SEND resource base. Its children have an Education Health Care Plan, and some may need full-time individual support; a specialist teacher oversees personalised learning. A separate sensory room helps children manage sensory needs. Blossom Group supports social, emotional and mental health needs, sharing tailored strategies with families and mainstream settings. In February 2025, safeguarding arrangements were effective.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child’s entry year. Treat the nursery choice and the primary-school application as separate decisions.
Preparation for the next learning stage happens through the day: choosing activities, communicating needs and practising independence. Supersonic Phonic Friends is intended to build foundations for Reception phonics. That preparation concerns learning, rather than entitlement to a school place.
Funding options include means-tested places for two-year-olds, the universal 15-hour offer and 30-hour places for eligible families. Eligibility for two-year-old or 30-hour funding can be checked through Childcare Choices.
For nursery enquiries, call 0191 4287656 or use the online admissions form. The nursery is on Campbell Park Road, Hebburn, NE31 1QY.
Provision covers children aged two to five, including two SEND resource bases.
HighScope combines active learning with a consistent routine. Children choose, plan, carry out and reflect on activities, alongside adult-led learning.
Yes. Forest School forms part of the weekly routine, and children use the woodland area for activities such as building nests.
Staff use communication approaches including Makaton and PECS. Willow Group provides specialist EYFS SEND provision, while Blossom Group supports social, emotional and mental health needs.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process, by the deadline for the relevant entry year.
