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Nursery at The Sele First 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A Pocket Full of Rhymes, books to borrow and a teacher-led nursery team give Sele’s youngest children a start built around language and play. Nursery belongs to The Sele First School’s early years provision in Hexham. Children can join in the term after their third birthday.
One teacher works with two qualified, experienced teaching assistants, with additional staff supporting individual needs. This is a nursery within a school, with learning planned across the early years team. At the Ofsted inspection on 14 and 15 June 2022, early years provision was judged Good; that judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Play has a clear place alongside adult-led learning. In June 2022, the early years curriculum followed a planned sequence, with children also choosing activities for themselves and enjoying the role-play spaces. Children can contribute ideas for an imagined setting, while adults develop the conversation and help them explore characters. That gives language a purpose beyond answering questions.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning about relationships, movement and communication with early reading, maths, creativity and discovering the world. Read Write Inc provides the phonics framework from Nursery onwards. A daily Maths Meeting introduces mathematical ideas, followed by opportunities to use them in play and activities started by adults. Nursery also participates in STEM fortnight, with a challenge for each year group.
Books travel home once children know the nursery routine. A Pocket Full of Rhymes gains another rhyme each week for families to share, making repeated songs and language part of home life too. Each child has a cloakroom peg, with spare clothes kept there for accidents or messy play. Weekly planning is displayed at the end of the Nursery corridor, so parents can connect home activities with what children are learning.
Settling begins before the first session. June parent meetings explain the move into Nursery, and children have a staggered start. Home visits are offered before children begin, giving the team time to meet families in familiar surroundings; a visit can last longer where a child has an individual need.
Parents can contribute observations and comments to an electronic learning journal. Individual consultations take place in October and March, followed by a progress report in July. Termly Stay and Play sessions let parents join their child’s play, while private discussions with staff can be arranged between formal meetings.
Full-day children have a cooked lunch accompanied by a nursery team member and a lunchtime supervisor. Mealtimes include trying foods, using cutlery and practising table manners. Fruit, milk and water are available in classrooms. Children with additional needs can have individual plans covering learning, behaviour or health, reviewed regularly to match support to their needs.
Toilet readiness. Children are expected to be toilet trained before starting. Unless there is a specific medical or special need, a child who is not ready has their place held until they are. Families need to factor this into their start arrangements.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Northumberland County Council’s normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their entry year. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery attendance.
Preparation for the classroom is a different matter. During the summer term before Reception, children have opportunities to meet their next teacher and visit their classroom. Those experiences introduce people and surroundings; they do not secure admission.
Families can choose five morning sessions, five afternoon sessions, or two full days plus an afternoon half day each week. Additional hours under the 30 hour offer depend on parental eligibility and availability discussed with the office. Paid nursery places are also offered for families without entitlement to additional funded hours; contact the school for current charges.
A red jumper, sweatshirt or cardigan is required, with easy-to-manage clothing and flat shoes. Label belongings and provide a book bag for borrowed books. Nursery uses the west-side entrance, beside the car park. Collection by an adult outside the authorised arrangements requires parents to notify the office and complete the change-of-collection form.
For nursery enquiries, telephone 01434 602808 or email admin@sele.northumberland.sch.uk.
Children can join in the term following their third birthday.
The choices are five mornings, five afternoons, or two full days and one afternoon half day per week. Eligible parents can discuss additional hours under the 30 hour offer with the school office.
There are June parent meetings, a staggered start and an offer of a home visit before starting. Home visits can be longer for children with individual needs.
Yes. They have a cooked school lunch, accompanied by a member of the nursery team and a lunchtime supervisor.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through Northumberland County Council’s normal admissions process.
