St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Jarrow: Nursery Review

A Secret Garden for forest school, books to borrow and room to explore give this nursery its character. St Joseph's has a purpose-built nursery with 52 places within its Catholic primary school in Jarrow. Provision starts from age two, with 15-hour and 30-hour options and flexibility where needed. For families, that combines a school setting with a choice of attendance patterns.

Play is the starting point. The nursery aims to let children develop at their own pace, combining activities children choose with play introduced by adults. Its Early Years team works with families and external agencies when children join, so individual needs form part of that first conversation.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, manage feelings and move confidently with early reading, maths, creative work and understanding the world. Here, those areas become practical experiences: counting and sorting games, experimenting with clay or paint, making music and taking roles in imaginative play. Children can investigate materials and ideas rather than spend the session on one kind of task.

Language gets daily attention through story time, conversations about news from home and opportunities to make marks. Nursery children explore environmental sounds, stories and rhymes as the beginning of their reading journey. Sounds Write is the phonics programme used across Early Years. In October 2023, Ofsted found that songs, rhymes and stories helped Nursery and Reception children begin reading, alongside systematic phonics delivered by trained staff.

Outdoor learning is part of the session, with open access to the outdoor area and frequent visits to the Secret Garden forest school. Running, climbing and exploring the school grounds give children opportunities to use their bodies alongside their indoor learning. Books travel home too: nursery children visit the school library and can borrow a different book each week.

Catholic teaching has a named place in the curriculum through Come and See. Nursery topics explore faith through themes including Gospel stories and the sacraments, making the school's religious character part of the learning day.

Settling begins with photographs of staff and the nursery environment to look at together before starting. Families are encouraged to give children time to adjust, recognising that some need longer. Stay and Play sessions then let parents join their child's play and look through learning journals and folders. These give families a concrete way to follow progress.

Each session includes a snack of fruit and food linked to the learning topic. Milk is ordered through the Cool Milk Scheme; families should tell staff about allergies or foods their child must avoid. Children bring a labelled water bottle, while spare clothes and plimsolls help staff deal with toileting accidents.

For additional needs, parents can arrange a discussion with the SEND Team through the office. Nursery progress is monitored in communication, physical development and personal and social development, with observations and referrals used when support is needed. In October 2023, Ofsted identified prompt recognition of SEND, including early-years children and speech and language needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and confers no priority under the 2027–2028 admission criteria. Families must apply separately using their home local authority's Common Application Form. For September 2027 entry, the deadline is 15 January 2027, with a 4:30pm closing time. Treat that application as a separate decision from choosing nursery.

Transition support is a different matter. During the summer term, Nursery teachers share children's strengths and needs with Reception teachers, including at another school when a child moves. Additional support can be provided where agencies such as Portage and Pre-School have been involved. That handover helps the next team prepare for the child; it does not affect allocation of places.

The 15-hour pattern offers mornings from 8:45am to 11:45am or afternoons from 12:10pm to 3:10pm. Extended 30-hour provision is offered for eligible three- and four-year-olds. Contact the nursery on 0191 536 4311 or enquiries@stjosephsjarrow.co.uk to enquire or arrange a visit, and ask the school for current charges.

Nursery children wear uniform, with labelled clothing and shoes they can fasten independently encouraged. Bring and collect children via St Joseph's Way; drivers can use the Church or Community Centre car parks. Anyone dropping off or collecting must be over 16. Tell the office or nursery staff if a different person will collect or if you will be late.